Summary: An RAF recruiting/propaganda film built around the image of the English Electric/BAC Lightning fighter.
Description: Film of a Lightning taking off, in flight (close-up pilot's face communicating with ground), climbing, manoeuvring (CU Firestreak missile, controls; views of clouds revolving as aircraft spins), flying in sunset, returning to night landing, being refuelled and serviced by groundcrew and immediately taking off again with 2 others, is accompanied by music (largely percussion) of a hurrying purposeful character, and a seductive commentary: "Want to fly a Lightning?... Want to occupy the single seat in the single-seater, all weather, night-and-day, high-flying, supersonic, super-normal Lightning?... Want to climb 2 Everests in 3 minutes?... Want to be the intelligence behind the radar that feeds the brain that guides the missile?... Want to FLY a Lightning?... Want to fly the World's best fighter?... Want to see the night close around you and not care?... Want to land a Lightning?... Want to fly a Lightning and take your own thunder with you?" (Entire commentary given above.)
Production Details: Air Ministry (Production sponsor)
Central Office of Information (Production sponsor)
Stewart Films (Production company)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Royal Air Force (regiment/service)
Keywords: aircraft, British - combat: English Electric Lightning (object name)
operations, British air - preparation (object name)
operations, British air - maintenance (object name)
operations, British air - routine (object name)
propaganda, British - practical: recruitment, Royal Air Force (object name)
weapons, British - missile [air-air]: Hawker Siddeley Firestreak (object name)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: Colour
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 1
Footage: 453 ft; Running time: 5 mins
