However, Cranfield is still home to one of the few remaining serviceable English Electric/BAC Lightning jet fighters.
Set in Norfolk, it features a developing friendship between two boys who share an interest in aeroplanes, living near RAF Coltishall during the months in 1974 when the Royal Air Force is phasing out its Lightning fighters and introducing the Jaguar.
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It was developed by de Havilland (later Hawker Siddeley) in the early 1950s and was the first such weapon to enter active service with the Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm, equipping the English Electric Lightning, de Havilland Sea Vixen and Gloster Javelin.
The Midge and Gnat were the creation of W.E.W. "Teddy" Petter, a British aircraft designer who had gained wide recognition for his design of the English Electric Canberra bomber and Lightning supersonic interceptor.
In June 1954 he was promoted to Flying Officer while serving with No. 56 Squadron RAF where he was the ground commentator for the RAF’s Firebirds air display team who flew English Electric Lightnings.