discussion Airfix 1/48 EE Lightning F.2A

[Wendall]

Afternoon All,


Got time to clear another from the bench this week. It is the most recent release of Airfix's 1/48 Lightning although I believe the tooling is from the 90's.


I want to begin by commenting on the kit itself. Frankly it is very good indeed, not many parts for an aircraft this size but it fits like an absolute dream and in my opinion there is just enough detail to be able to build a very good replica straight from the box. The decals sheet is very comprehensive with a full complement of stencils and options for three aircraft, one F.2A and two F.6's. The only additions from me were the harness which I made from thin plasticard and a couple of antenna.


I started this build as a bit of an experiment. I wanted to build XN793 92 sqdn Gutersloh 1972. I don't know about the rest of you but every time I try to use Alclad to cover an entire airframe I end up ageing ten years and the kit ends up in the bin. With these painful memories but a desire to do a bare metal airframe I decided on a different approach.


So this Lightning has been primed with Tamiya primer, had a few panels painted in different shades of aluminium from Tamiya, GW and some others. These panels were then masked and I shot the whole thing in Tamiya TS 30 Silver Leaf straight from the can. The spine and tail were then airbrushed in a few different shades of blue.


To try and get a less toy like finish I loaded the airbrush with Tamiya smoke and started picking out panel lines and shadows. A Paynes Grey oil wash followed along with the oil dotting technique for some of the staining. A few washes from MIG for streaks and more concentrated leaks and that was that.


To my eye it looks fairly convincing, maybe a bit too dirty looking but apparently these things took a pounding in Germany. I love to know what you think.


View attachment 115840

View attachment 115841

View attachment 115842

View attachment 115843

View attachment 115844

View attachment 115845

View attachment 115846

View attachment 115847

View attachment 115848

View attachment 115849



Thanks for looking


Jason

View attachment 228863

View attachment 228864

View attachment 228865

View attachment 228866

View attachment 228867

View attachment 228868

View attachment 228869

View attachment 228870

View attachment 228871

View attachment 228872

 

[PaulTRose]

want to know what i think?


awesome!


thats exceedingly nice, from a time when jets were interesting

 

[Guest]

That looks simply amazing Jason! Just how I'd expect the BMF to appear in real life - well done sir!

 

[Guest]

A great build & decaling, & excellent weathering .


John.

 

[Neil]

Unfortunately I only ever saw these on the school bus passing Gutersloh - but it looks pretty convincing to me. The colouration and streaks look great from where I am sitting.

 

[takeslousyphotos]

Fantastic work Jason, Exceptionally well finished....... I like that a lot.

 

[Guest]

Very jolly nice Jason. Very pro. stuff there.


I would say you have knocked it on the head with the finish.


Just the right amount of dirt etc It looks authentically very real.


Very nice bit of work on that delicate canopy.


Laurie

 

[papa 695]

Did the Same one myself not too long ago Jason.


You have done a fantastic job on this great work

 

[Wendall]

Thanks chaps

 

[Guest]

Awesometacular. Lovely paintwork and decals , nice job

 

[Guest]

Superb work Jason!


Perfect decaling work and paintwork as well.


I love the weathered models....so this one looks terrific for me


Great build

 

[PhilJ]

Beautiful Jason, is it too dirty? Maybe, I don't think so though I love it.


See that airfix are releasing a new tool 1/48 lightening next month? Certainly this year though, I maybe tempted on that one!


Regards


Phil

 

[yak face]

Perfect Jason! to me it captures the look of an operational (as opposed to a polished ,museum piece) natural metal aircraft . Nice touch giving us the method too , its always handy to know how a finish has been achieved , top work mate , cheers tony

 

[Alan 45]

Superb one of the but lightnings I've seen


Here I am thinking I may of well and truly given up building aircraft for good and you come along with this beauty !


And I have this in the stash ! Most annoying lol

 

[Wendall]

Thanks again Chaps,


Sorry Alan

See that airfix are releasing a new tool 1/48 lightening next month? Certainly this year though, I maybe tempted on that one!

I think it's a re-boxing Phil, same sprues, new decals. But it is such a nice kit I doesn't warrant a new tooling. You should definitely get one


Jason

 

[PhilJ]

Thanks again Chaps,
Sorry Alan


I think it's a re-boxing Phil, same sprues, new decals. But it is such a nice kit I doesn't warrant a new tooling. You should definitely get one


Jason

Ah, good to hear that Jason, maybe I will although I'm adding to my stash so much at the mo and the little time I get I don't think I'll ever see them finished

 

[colin m]

That just looks perfect. The weathering is in my opinion, bang on.


Colin M

 

[Bigfoot57]

Jase


That's the best lightening model I seen to date brilliant job well done

 

[geegad]

superb work the weathering is spot on top stuff

 

[Wendall]

Cheers fellas