Airfix 1:72 Lighting F6

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Hello all,

Been away from modelling for about 2 years. I was working on an Airfix 1:48 Hurricane but that's stalled...mind you I have moved house in the meantime.

I've always loved the Lightning, one of my earliest memories is seeing one at the RAF Valley airshow with my dad sometime in the 80's. I can still remember the ground shaking after a vertical climb.

This kit has been in my stash for about 2 years and I've bought a few extras to use with it. Progress will be slow - I've got a lot of DIY tasks at the moment so modelling time is limited!

Screenshot_20171203-091843.png

I'm going to use the Barracuda Cast cockpit set with this. Comparing the original with the replacement shows its no competition. Although, to be fair, the cockpit aperture is pretty tiny so it may prove to be a waste of time!

IMG_20171202_203358215.jpg

The cockpit tub fits really well with only a minimum of effort. Dry fit only at this stage.

IMG_20171202_224007152.jpg

However the intake could prove problematic as this photo shows, although I haven't put much effort other than this dry run yet!

IMG_20171202_223926606.jpg

Thanks for looking

Matt
 

flyjoe180

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However the intake could prove problematic as this photo shows, although I haven't put much effort other than this dry run yet!
Check out the Lightning G B, the intake /nose issue is common and requires some 'minor' surgery. Looks good so far, that rain cockpit looks much better than the kit offering.
 
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Check out the Lightning G B, the intake /nose issue is common and requires some 'minor' surgery. Looks good so far, that rain cockpit looks much better than the kit offering.

It really is better compared to the original but, as I mentioned, the opening is really tiny so it may not be worth the effort!

Already b******d up - accidentally filled the front wheel bay with lead shot so looks like I'll have to rebuild it using plastic card.

Matt
 
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Slow but steady progress. I've sanded the sides of the intake and removed the large ejector pins from the fuselage sides and it's improved the fit significantly.

IMG_20171205_215547030.jpg

IMG_20171205_215903490.jpg

Matt
 

colin m

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Despite the fuselage problem at the front, this kit does turn out quite nice. That cockpit will be a great improvement.
 
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Managed to get the cockpit tub painted, washed and drybrushed today.

During all my numerous dryfitting the fuselage sides closed up fairly well. Now I've glued the intake and cockpit in, the fit is terrible!

IMG_20171209_222604705.jpg

Matt
 
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Starting to look like a Lightning but it's been a slog getting this far. Nearly every piece fitted poorly. I've had to do a lot of gap filling and I'm done yet!

IMG_20171211_215208917_HDR.jpg

IMG_20171211_215245742_HDR.jpg

Matt
 
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Bit more progress. I seem to have used all sorts of fillers to get things to the point where I can do some priming, from super glue, Mr Surfacer and Tamiya putty. Lots of gaps to fill!

IMG_20171214_215039_670.jpg

Surely this is one of the most boring jobs?

IMG_20171217_194122_803.jpg

Priming done. I'm going for a stage between preshading panel lines and the popular black basing.

IMG_20171217_215528327.jpg

Matt
 

flyjoe180

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Looking good Matt...
Surely this is one of the most boring jobs?

img_20171217_194122_803-jpg.291733

I actually enjoy masking canopies. This one wasn't too bad.

Black basing etc looks good, can't tell the issues were there from the photos. Looking forward to seeing the paint go down.
 
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Looking good Matt...


I actually enjoy masking canopies. This one wasn't too bad.

Black basing etc looks good, can't tell the issues were there from the photos. Looking forward to seeing the paint go down.

Masking the canopy isn't too bad - it's masking the cockpit aperture I hate!

I've tried both panel line shading and black basing previously, and both have positives and negatives. I'm going for a halfway house in the hope it might give a bit more contrast with less effort!

Matt
 

colin m

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Well it certainly looks like a Lightning now. I like the over wing tanks, they seem typically British and eccentric.
 
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Made a slow start on the painting, but I'm thinking that this is far too dark for RAF medium sea grey.

IMG_20171221_215316200.jpg

Matt
 
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