Welcome!

Welcome to the Callsign Collective - a community, newsletter, and subscription dedicated to one of Britain’s most remarkable aircraft - the Lightning.

Led by former Lightning pilot Ian Black, we’re restoring XA847 - the very aircraft used in the official “Lightning” naming ceremony back in 1958. It was the prototype that proved Britain could build a world-class supersonic fighter, and now, decades later, we’re bringing it back to life. Every subscription helps fund the restoration, unlocks exclusive stories and collector gear, and connects you with a community keeping that legacy roaring.

In 1954, the distinctive shape of the English Electric Lightning first took to the skies. XA847, the P1B prototype, was at the heart of that story, laying the foundations for an aircraft that would define Cold War aviation. Hidden away for decades, XA847 is now being painstakingly restored to honour its legacy and share it with a new generation.

This site is where you can follow that journey.

The Subscription: By joining the Callsign Collective, you’ll receive access to the FULL monthly newsletter, where we share progress updates from the restoration team, stories from XA847’s past, and insights into the history of the Lightning. You'll also have the opportunity to purchase limited edition items that celebrate the aircraft and support the project’s costs. Every subscription directly fuels the restoration effort.
The Vision: To bring P1B XA847 back into the public eye, not as a forgotten relic, but as a celebrated icon of British aviation.

The project is led by Ian Black - former Lightning pilot, aviation photographer and the writer behind Lightning Volume 4: A Tribute to the P1B. Ian’s passion for aviation history and first-hand experience with the Lightning family make this restoration uniquely personal.

By subscribing, you’re not just following along, you’re becoming part of XA847’s story. Together, we can ensure that the Lightning’s legacy continues to inspire.

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When XA847’s restoration is complete, our mission won’t end - it’ll take flight again in a new way. We hope to see the aircraft safely displayed in a home worthy of its history, where future generations can stand beneath it and feel that same awe. And for those who choose to stay subscribed, the journey continues. We’ll move on to the next great aviation story - another machine, another crew, another chapter in Britain’s incredible flying heritage.