Thunder & Lightnings

English Electric Lightning - Survivor 53-422

F.53 53-422 - RKAFB Ali Al Salem (gate guardian), Kuwait

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Lightning F.53 53-422 at Ali Al Salem, 2016; Aircraft throughout the years

First flown on 18th August 1969, 53-422 was delivered to the Royal Kuwaiti Air Force in December of that year. As with the other Kuwaiti Lightnings she enjoyed a fairly brief but active career. One of two gate guards at the Ali Al Salem air force base in Kuwait, 53-422 was once displayed on a mound of earth with her gear retracted and looked rather worn. The desert sun has done her no favors, and the canopy is completely clouded over. However, in more recent years she has been mounted to two poles in a take-off position and has also received a repaint, making her look much more presentable than what she was. She does appear to be intact and undamaged.

Information on this page current as of 28/11/2021, last updated by Jake

Find other photos of 53-422 on the following sites:

Air-Britain - Airliners.net - Airplane-Pictures.net - flickr.com - WorldAirPics.com - JetPhotos.net - PlanePictures.net