War Thunder is marking the anniversary of the first flight of the English Electric Lightning jet fighter with a special discount on the Lightning F.53 variant. This offer lets players add a powerful ground strike jet to their collection at a reduced price, reflecting the aircraft’s distinct history and capabilities.
The English Electric Lightning first took to the skies on August 4th, 1954, before entering service in 1960. That same year, English Electric merged into the British Aircraft Corporation, which rebranded the jet as the BAC Lightning. Designed to intercept Soviet bombers during the Cold War, the Lightning served the Royal Air Force until the late 1980s. Quite a legacy, right?
The Lightning F.53 Discount Details
The Lightning F.53, a rank VI premium vehicle in War Thunder, will be available at a 30% discount for 6,363 Golden Eagles. This sale runs from August 4th at 11:00 GMT until August 7th at 11:00 GMT. You can find it under Great Britain > Aviation > Premium vehicles in the game.
This variant was specifically designed as a ground strike aircraft for export to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. It carries more hardpoints than the original Lightning, allowing it to haul a wide variety of bombs and rockets simultaneously. Plus, it’s equipped with two 30 mm cannons and air-to-air missiles, not to mention a very high maximum speed. Sounds like a solid choice if you want to mix air combat with some serious ground pounding.
Here are some images showcasing the Lightning F.53 in action:
For those interested in more technical details or history, you can check out the Lightning F.53 page on the War Thunder Wiki.
Do you already have this jet in your hangar? Or maybe you’re thinking about grabbing it during the sale? I’m curious how it fits into your lineup, especially if you like mixing fast jets with ground attack roles. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
