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@GA2G
The more I read about the BAC English Electric Lightning, the more awestruck I am. It's pretty amazing that the SR-71 could NOT match the Electric Lighting for maximum altitude, especially as the SR-71 was a reconnaissance aircraft, which would use height, and in its own case, speed, to evade the enemy. The SR-71's service ceiling of 85,000 feet, and certainly 87,000 feet was never exceeded. The BAC English Electric Lightning achieved 87,500 feet and 88,000 feet.
Also quite incredible, is that the English Electric Lightning had super-cruise in 1954!!! This is breaking the sound barrier WITHOUT using afterburners. The BAC EEL did this on its very first flight.