ENGLISH ELECTRIC LIGHTNING ENGINE FIRE SUPPRESSION SWITCH

While RAF pilots loved the Lightning for its sleek shape and staggering climb acceleration, manoeuvrability and attack speeds; RAF ground crew mechanics continued to struggle with its complexity and in particular, its dangerous fuel leaks.

Engine overheating and possible fire was an ongoing issue for the Lightning with the continual flexing of the aircraft's airframe at supersonic speeds resulting in unburnt fuel from the overhead engine dripping down onto the engine below, even when the upper engine was shut down during taxiing.

Engine fire was a constant concern for pilots who would frequently glance across the aircraft’s warning panel on the port wall of the cockpit just above the throttle controls.

The warning panel consisted of 5 illuminated warning lights signalling (from L to R) No 1. Engine Fire Indicator; No 1. Engine Reheat Indicator; DC Generator Failure Warning Light; No 2. Engine Fire Indicator; Autopilot Failure Warning Light and the Cockpit Pressure Failure Light. The small adjacent buttons muted or disabled the audio alarms .

As soon as either of the large Engine Fire Warning Lights were activated, the pilot would press one of the two ‘yellow-banded’ Engine Fire Suppression Switches mounted at the rear of the warning panel. Each Suppression Switch featured an inbuilt warning bulb that would glow - indicating which of the Lightning's engines needed to be shut down.

Here is an amazing opportunity to secure a rare piece of RAF Cold War aviation history with an original English Electric Lightning Engine Fire Suppression Switch mounted on a stylish 100yr old Mango Wood Display Stand with engraved plaque and a highly-detailed 1/72 or 1/48 scale model of this classic RAF jet fighter perched above, on its magnetic display arm.

Your Recovery Curios, Original Vintage Aircraft Instrument Collectable also comes with a detailed, printed and laminated Instrument Fact Sheet with a history of the aircraft and photograph of the instrument in the aircraft cockpit.  What a fantastic gift for the aviation enthusiast in your life!

This English Electric Lightning Instrument comes complete with detailed Scale Model, Mango Wood Stand & Plaque plus Printed Fact Sheet featuring photo of instrument in aircraft cockpit.

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