Typical sortie was about 30-40 minutes. A spirited pilot could empty one in a bit less than 15 minutes. Plenty of tankers about for mid-air refueling back in the day. Actually the initial mark didn't have a refueling probe. They soon realised that it needed one and also additional ventral (belly) fuel tanks. Hence why the lightning always looks a bit "pregnant". Towards the end of their service they fitted the very ugly over wing tanks, which increased endurance to a couple of hours or so, but with marked reduction in G limits, hence why they were basically used for ferry flights only.Blimey! So how long could they stay in the air for before they needed to refuel?
Last edited: