Lightning Force

Title: Lightning Force. RAF Units 1960-1988. A photographic appreciation of the English Electric Lightning by Fred Martin

Introduction

A highly illustrated (photos) book about the English Electric Lightning in service with the Royal Air Force. Lightning Force: RAF Units 1960-1988 – A Photographic Appreciation of the English Electric Lightning by Fred Martin, is a book that gets right to the core of its subject, and lists each Squadron that used the Lighting, and also each version that the Squadron used. It is in a fairly large format 25x24cm, so small enough to hold, but big enough to include good size photographs.

Contents include a brief Introduction, and then stright in to the Squadrons. Each Squadron gets a small write up about the Lightning in squadron use, a small table that details the aircraft used immediatley prior to Lightning use, versions of Lightnings operated, bases operated from, when disbanded, what happened after Lightinings (Later), and a description of the squadron badge. Also included is an image of the squadron badge and squadron colours used on the Lightning.

What then follows is 4 to 6 pages of photos of Lightnings from that particular squadron.

The final chapter, deals with training and second line units.

Pros

Lots and lots of great photographs of the EE Lightning, mostly in colour and of quite good to high quality. Writing is kept to a minimum, the photographs do the talking in this book. However, the captions to the photos are detailed and useful. I also like the format of the book, in that it presents the Lightnings per squadron and not by Lightning version. Another plus is the amount of colour, in the squadron badges and markings, plus in the photographs.

Cons

Not really an issue for me, but if you are looking for a ‘walk around’ type book, then this is not one. Another very slight issue is the paper. It is good quality, but it would have lifted the book to a higher level if it was glossier.

Round Up

Would I recommend Lightning Force: RAF Units 1960-1988 – A Photographic Appreciation of the English Electric Lightning ? very much so. I feel it is a great resource for Lightning photos and information on RAF Squadron use of the Lightning. It is a ‘visual’ book that can be used to just flick through, or to wet the appetite for a modeling or painting projects.