As a matter of interest, did they display very often.
Yes. Very often.
One of the best Lightning display pilots in my (amateur) opinion was Mike Thompson.
Sadly, he was killed off Scarborough in the summer of 1983. (Not during an authorised display.)
Cape Town, three months ago -
One of the Lightnings broke the sound barrier at >15000 feet.
An air show spokesman said they received numerous complaints.
"We just wanted to demonstrate what it sounds like to break the sound barrier.
It has two distinct noises, one after the other."
(Not my pictures)