Books – Lightning Preservation Group

Lightning Force

avpinmike728 — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 13:37:23 +0000

RAF Units 1960 – 1988 – A photographic Appreciation of the English Electric Lightning

This highly illustrated book is a photographic appreciation of the English Electric Lightning’s service in the RAF, including all the squadrons which operated this stunning aircraft. Mainly from the camera of one dedicated Lightning enthusiast and accomplished photographer.

With the exception of a few illustrations included to set Fred Martin’s unique pictures in context, none of these photographs have been published in book form before.

Accurate illustrations of the squadron badges have also been included along with the badges of the training and target facilities flights. The introductions and captions to each squadron are a detailed account of its history while operating the Lightning.

Lightning Force sums up the sheer exhilaration of the power, speed and nose that is the Lightning. Even today, years after the type was retired from frontline RAF service it still engenders great affection with aviation enthusiasts around the world.

Fast Jet Fighters 1948 – 1978

avpinmike728 — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 13:30:34 +0000

Fast Jet Fighters 1948-1978 (Airlife) Voodoo, Lightning, Starfighter, Thunderchief – emotive names for a new generation of sleek fighter aircraft that more than trebled the speeds at which air combat was fought in the early decades after World War II. This work captures the spirit of those halcyon days through many photographs.

Large paperback, size: 270mm x 230mm, 112 pages, with all full colour photographs throughout

Martin W. Bowman

English Electric Lightning

avpinmike728 — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 13:27:34 +0000

English Electric Lightning by Martin Bowman

The English Electric Lightning was the mainstay of Britain’s air defense during the Cold-War. Quick Reaction Alert aircraft were tasked with intercepting Russian aircraft and their high speed and fast rate of climb made them ideal for operation requirement.

Lightnings Live On!

avpinmike728 — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 13:22:33 +0000

Compiled and Edited by Hugh Trevor . Chapters by test and service pilots, ground crew and enthusiasts. Well illustrated with mainly monochrome photographs, diagrams, ephemera.8.25 X 11.75 inches.

2026 LPG A3 Calendar & Bookazine Special!

avpinmike728 — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 13:08:39 +0000

The ultimate double pack – the new LPG 2026 A3 Calendar and a copy of the fabulous “Lightning Legend” Bookazine – all at a very special price!

The Lightning Preservation Group’s Official 2026 Calendar in stunning A3 format and limited edition of 250 copies.

The fantastic new 2023 calendar features unpublished and carefully selected action shots of Lightnings in action over it’s 28 years in service. We have worked with the best photographers of the Lightning era to gather together some of the finest images of the aircraft in action. Formatted with space to write important dates and events this years calendar features a fresh new layout and colour scheme.

“Lightning Legend” is the updated and enhanced Aviation Classics “Bookazine” for the Lightning Preservation Group with lots of new content including a full summary of “Project Silver Bird” which covers the Group as we dismantled, transported and re-assembled the last uncut F3 Lightning in the world XR713 from Leuchars to Bruntingthorpe.
132 pages in full A4 sized colour glossy print with no adverts

Orders will be shipped early November 2025

Lightning Boys Paperback by Richard Pike

avpinmike728 — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 12:31:25 +0000

Tales include the recollections of an aerobatic display pilot, an implausible yet true account of telepathic communication, and an extraordinary episode when a Lightning pilot on an exchange programme with the French air force became embroiled in a mid-air collision. An unverified yet probably genuine world record is also revealed in one of the chapters.

In addition to the 16-page photo section, the book features a unique sketch from renowned aviation artist Chris Stone – who is a former Lightning pilot. The style, scope and pace of the writing will appeal to the general reader as well as to the enthusiast.

Lightning Boys 2 by Richard Pike

avpinmike728 — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 12:29:06 +0000

The sequel to the bestselling The Lightning Boys, Lightning Boys 2, now available in paperback for the first time, is a must-have companion and continues the theme of tales from pilots and other crew connected with this iconic aircraft, giving a rare insight into post-war fighter operations. In twenty separate stories to intrigue, amaze and amuse, the book has also been compiled and written by Richard Pike.

The reader is taken to situations as diverse as intercepting sixty plus enemy aircraft, a desperate struggle in a cockpit flooded by tropical downpours, the difficulties of being affected by sudden and painful toothache at high altitude, and the curious encounter with an unidentified flying object. Yet another chapter paints a dramatic reconstruction of a scene in Germany when a Lightning, having entered an inadvertent, out-of-control spin, began an earthwards plunge towards a town centre.

Lightning Volume 4

avpinmike728 — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 11:49:31 +0000

Lightning Volume 4 is a tribute to the P1B – XA847 and the men who flew it especially Chief Test Pilot Wg Cdr Roland Beamont. The book is not intended as a comprehensive history of the early Lightnings more a pot pour of images and memorabilia to delight the Lightning aficionados. The P1B first flew some years before the author was born in an era where Black and White was king – A book on the Lightning in 2025 purely in Black And white would be a non starter so a decision was made to split the book with approx 25% of the work on the early Lightnings followed by a large full colour section. Most of the images are the authors but I have been aided by some capable photographers to fill the missing gaps – when I was at school !

100% of the profits of Volume 4 will go into restoring the P1B XA847 which will include sourcing missing parts , cleaning and polishing and then the transport and re assembly at a prestigious event in Sept 2026. To those of you who purchase Volume 4 a heartfelt thank you – your contribution to saving this Iconic Jet fighter of significant historical interest is gratefully received.

The Lightning Preservation Group are working with Ian Black to sell his new book – Lightning Volume 4 to assist in the restoration of P1B XA847 which will include sourcing missing parts , cleaning and polishing and then the transport and re assembly at a prestigious event in Sept 2026. Pre-order – will be shipped October 2025 on release.

Lightning Volume 2 Ian Black

avpinmike728 — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 21:18:05 +0000

Lightning Volume two builds on the very successful Lightning 1954-2014. Containing never seen before photos and information on the Lightning. No attempt has been made to cover individual aircraft histories or what lies beneath the skin as this has been covered adequately elsewhere -this is purely a photographic record of the highest quality.

The English Electric Lightning pushed the boundaries between man and machine. From the beginning captivating a generation of schoolboys and producing a group of elite fighter pilots not seen since the Battle of Britain.

From an engineers perspective it was always a love hate relationship, as few other aircraft have ever required such attention to stay serviceable.

This is Volume 2, following on from his critically acclaimed “Lightning 1954-2014”

Black Leader – George Black

avpinmike728 — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 20:59:56 +0000

The fascinating story of George Black’s flying career from its beginning on Hawker Hunters before transferring to Sea Hawks then the legendary English Electric Lightning.

The book also details when George flew with the RAF Historic Flight (the embryonic BBMF) through to his time with the first major field deployment of the Hawker Sidley Harrier.

Covering the trials and tribulations of a extraordinary flying career and packed with stunning pictures Black Leader is a must read for aviation fans everywhere.