Ground Attack English Electric (BAC) Lightning

[Dizzyfugu]

The answer my friends is a Mistel.

TSR.2, of course...

[Knightflyer]

OKay, we're starting to get a little exotic here, the Mistel version has been proposed, next up with be the zwilling version 

Does anybody out there have the figures for the a sensible (reasonable? / maximum?) low-level speed for the Lightning

The scenario I'm NOT thinking of is ... point aircraft at East Germany, light 'burners and GOOOOoooooooo........ , which would result in another exotic ...the one-way Kamikaze Lightning (and yes I know Kamimaze missions are by definition one-way only, but with the fuel state of high-speed, low level Lightning the pilot wouldn't have much choice!) 

[Dizzyfugu]

AFAIK the Lightning was supposed to achieve almost 1.300 km/h indicated air speed at "lower altitudes", probably in clean configuration.

[Knightflyer]

AFAIK the Lightning was supposed to achieve almost 1.300 km/h indicated air speed at "lower altitudes", probably in clean configuration.

It was a bit 'nippy' then ?! , to use a technical term 

I can definitely see it as a "get in there (very) quick" (unfortunately) short range interdictor hitting the leading columns of the Warsaw Pact Armies

[Snowtrooper]

Lightning was used especially for low-level interception by RAFG so presumably she was faster than most other planes down at the deck.

Just as well, since staying at treetop height would have been mandatory for a Strike Lightning unless somebody suddenly managed to fit her with RWR, ECM, countermeasure dispensers, etc. which Lightnings lacked until the very end. Going in on the Central Front at medium altitudes without any countermeasures would have been an authentic kamikaze mission in that the plane most likely never reaches its intended target...

[Captain Canada]

Love it. I could probably think of 50 ideas on how I'd like to build a Lightning. Ground attack is defo one of them ! Even if you could only do moderate speeds with a load, you could turn around and get back at 'er in a hurry !

[Mossie]

The Saudi's used the Lightning to good effect in ground attack in Yemen, although I can't find much detail in my references that says any more than that.