Supersonic Fighter Christened 23.10.58 The English Electric "Lightning", the first fullu supersonic all-weather fighter of the RAF, was officially named at a ceremony at the Royal Aircraft Establishment's Aerodrome at Farnborough, Hants, today, when the Chief of Air Staff, Marshal of the RAF, Sir Dermot Boyle, broke a bottle of champagne over the nose of the aircraft. Photo shows: The Lightning pictured after the christening ceremony.