Market Rasen, UK – June 11, 2025
A Cold War-era fighter jet, which once defended British skies against the threat of Soviet bombers, has been brought back to life for the first time in nearly two decades.
Lightning XR724, a supersonic English Electric Lightning aircraft, was powered up at its long-time home near RAF Binbrook in Lincolnshire, where it served for the majority of its operational life.
The aircraft, which first took to the skies on 10 February 1965, has been the focus of a dedicated five-year restoration effort by a small team of aviation enthusiasts and engineers.
Chief engineer Chris Johnson, who was inside the cockpit during the recent test start, described the moment as a milestone in a long and challenging journey.
“Getting this old lady running again after so long being idle is going to feel great,” Johnson said, clearly moved by the experience. “It’s not just a machine – it’s a piece of history, and bringing it back to life means preserving the legacy of everyone who flew and maintained her.”
The English Electric Lightning, renowned for its blistering speed and distinctive twin vertical tail design, was Britain’s first and only supersonic interceptor capable of flying at twice the speed of sound.
Built to scramble rapidly and climb to high altitudes to intercept enemy aircraft, the Lightning played a key role during the Cold War in deterring Soviet threats.
Lightning XR724 was officially retired in 1991 and has since remained grounded. Over the years, time and exposure took their toll, but in 2020, a committed team launched an ambitious project to restore the aircraft to a live-running condition.
While the aircraft is not intended to fly again, the restoration aims to return its engines and systems to operational capability for static demonstrations.
The recent successful engine test marks the first time in 18 years that XR724’s engines have roared into life. Johnson and his team are now setting their sights on restoring the aircraft’s top engine, with hopes of completing that phase of the project by the end of 2026.
“We’ve come a long way, but there’s still work to be done,” Johnson said. “We’re not just fixing an aircraft – we’re honouring the legacy of British aviation.”
The public will get the chance to witness the Lightning’s power during a special open day scheduled for 6 September, when the next engine run will be carried out in front of visitors and aviation fans.
The restoration has attracted support from former RAF personnel, aviation enthusiasts, and local residents, many of whom remember the jet’s thunderous presence over Lincolnshire during its operational days. RAF Binbrook, once a frontline fighter station, was the last base to operate Lightnings before the type was officially retired.
As the engine whined into life once more, XR724 stood as a gleaming symbol of British engineering and Cold War resilience – a reminder of a bygone era and the enduring passion of those committed to keeping history alive.
