The RAF waited a decade from the first flight of the English Electric P1 prototype in 1954 to take delivery of a truly definitive operational Lightning variant. The F3 was well worth it, though — and No 111 Squadron’s pilots loved it. This is the story of the mark’s first year with ‘Treble-One’
The exploits of No 111 (Fighter) Squadron caught the mood of an exuberant, exciting era. It had risen to fame at the end of the 1950s with its breathtaking aerobatic displays, culminating in the famous 22-aircraft Hunter loop at 1958’s SBAC Farnborough show. With the Hawker fighter obsolete the squadron had re-equipped with the Lightning F1A, and created a new legend for itself. Those early Lightnings remained unpainted as the feeling was the speeds achieved rendered camouflage unnecessary. Nonetheless, with ‘Treble-One’ they sported a neat black and yellow lightning flash on the nose.
The F1A was only ever envisaged as a stopgap mark, pending the long-awaited F3 version. Equipping the Leuchars-based squadrons first, the Wattisham wing — including ‘Treble-One’ — received its first aircraft just before Christmas 1964. The then commanding officer of 111, Sqn Ldr (later AVM) George Black, takes up the story.
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