Airfix 1/48 Lightning F2a-F6

[customtk]

No cold war build can be complete without a Lightning or two
I'm lucky another to live near Tangmere aviation museum in west Sussex, they have a lightning in the main hanger
They also have a lightning simulator http://www.tangmere-museum.org.uk/fligh ... -simulator
Well worth checking out, they have also just had delivery of a harrier GR3 so I'm planning a visit soon to take a look.

The kits - The first one is an old kit I picked up a few years ago at the shoreham air show









I recently brought a new kit on eBay complete with Eduard photo etch and resin seat (pics to follow)
I plan to complete one in the all metal finish and one in the grey green camo

The new kit comes with nice new decals from Cartograf, I contacted the wonderful people at Airfix asking if I could purchase some new decals to replace the rather thick and horrible looking old ones and they are kindly sending some for free, fantastic service

[Johni044]

my favorite kit
Looking forward to seeing these, I've a few in the stash to make next year.

Have to agree about Airfix customer service recently, I find them second to none at the moment, just wish the club admin were on a par with them.

[bullgill67]

great choice and good luck with the build

michael

[Gav0909]

Ah for me it was a toss up between the new tool Airfix Lightning or a Harrier of some kind. I went with the Harrier GR1 in the end.

Is this kit here raised panel lines or recessed? I guess that's the 1/48 kit from before they re-tooled it? But it looks quite good though!

[longlance67]

nice subject, this should be a great build will be watching this one

[Lee]

Excellent - Tangmere is only 20 mins away from me. Going to pop over with my son on Saturday... Cheers for the info

[Nige201980]

About time a lightning or 2 popped up in this GB really really looking forward to watching this come together mate.

[Johni044]

Ah for me it was a toss up between the new tool Airfix Lightning or a Harrier of some kind. I went with the Harrier GR1 in the end.

Is this kit here raised panel lines or recessed? I guess that's the 1/48 kit from before they re-tooled it? But it looks quite good though!

Oh it's definately recessed and just a re-pop rather than new tool as the original is quite exceptional, I beleive the latest release does have better decals which were the weak point in the original.

[customtk]

Nice recessed panel lines
Dated 1997

The extra decals from Airfix turned today -Many Thanks

Second kit Photos


Photo etch

Resin Seat

[T3hGuppy]

Nice couple of kits dude.

Looking forward to seeing these come together.

[Lee]

The new Airfix Lightning is meant to be a very nice kit to put together

[Gav0909]

Man the panel lines on that 1997 kit look awesome!

You will have to let us know how that one builds up compared to the newer one.

[customtk]

The new kit and the old are the same mould
Its just the new kit is the newer type grey plastic (the old kit has grey blue plastic)
The new plastic seems to make the panel lines look slightly crisper but this could just be an illusion and you get an all new decal sheet of a much higher standard then the original
The decals on the original are thick and from what I've read , no matter how much setting solutions you use, will not conform to the panel lines

thanks
tony

I've started the cockpit so will upload some photos soon, unfortunately there is a problem with the photo etch there seems to be almost no adhesive on the coloured photo etch.
I've email Eduard and the nice people there are sending me another set

[good2us1]

Interesting subject, I don't think I have ever seen this aircraft before!!!

[customtk]

Good web site on the history of the Lightning

http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk ... istory.php

[ridgers22]

another of my favorite jets will be watching this one for sure

[Gav0909]

Interesting subject, I don't think I have ever seen this aircraft before!!!

You've never seen a Lightning? Dude, this thing was typical of 1950's/1060's British engineering. I.e. not far off pure crazy! This thing was basically a rocket with some wings and a pilot!

[customtk]

Sorry for the delay in uploading my progress
The kit seat is OK but lacks cushions


So i made some up with miliput before painting and adding the photo etch


Cockpit Under Way



Engine and intake Parts


I added the Cannon covers before cementing the fuselage half together, i suspect there will be less filling this way


Only a little filler required


Nose weight, i added as much weight as possible , inc packing out the front of the nose with pieces of lead


Photo etch in the wheel well adding much needed detail


taking shape nicely


So far the kit goes together well , with some filler required around the seam lines

[ridgers22]

looking good and the etch in the cockpit is fantastic

[spruecutter]

Very nice, I do like the design of this plane.

[Tamiyasnob]

Your making great progress on that buddy, it,s looking really good. As you say you can,t have a Cold War build without a Lightning, look forward to more post,s.

[T3hGuppy]

So hows work progressing on this one.

Was shaping up very nicely indeed.

[customtk]

Unfortunately I won't finish on time but I have made further progress
I will upload the finished photos when complete
Thanks

[T3hGuppy]

Sweet looking forward to it .