E.E. Lightning SB 'The Lightning Boys!'

[lancfan]

So far Stuart the plastic parts fit perfectly, I have never liked etched parts and much of this will be unseen anyway when the kit is finished so I may only fit the essential pieces of etch on future builds.

David.

[lancfan]

My decals arrived but the sheet did not include the correct text for the P.1a nose (it was a long shot) but they will come in handy as the decals for the Sword kit include a spelling mistake for the nose warning panels -"KEEP CLEAN OF INTAKE" so finding myself still without the correct decals I needed for the P.1a I had to make them so with a little help from my laptop the required stencils were made up and printed out to the correct size, these are printed on clear decal sheet so I will have to paint the white panels on the nose before I can apply them.


Moving back to the Sword Lightning F.1a this is the current state of play, the fuselage should go together very soon.


David.

--------------------------

[Stuart]

Yeah you keep that intake clean!
looking forward to seeing how those DIY Decals work out.

Good progress on the Sword kit (I'm not a big fan of PE either).

[DavidWomby]

I have done some experimental bare metal work on the F1. I am quite pleased with the results for the small effort involved although I think I have overdone a couple of panels.

The whole thing had a spray of Testors rattle can silver. An enamel. Then after a few days, I masked some panels with frisket and just rubbed them hard and fast with a rag. They shined up nicely compared to the unbuffed paint and only show as the light catches them. The frisket has pulled up some of the underlying silver but it looks OK again after a gentle buffing





Some details need adding and some touchup still needed but hopefully on to decals soon.

David

[Stuart]

That's very nice indeed David - picking out the extra panels looks really good.

What colours are you Gent's going to use for the intake rings?

[lancfan]

I'm going to use Revell Aqua 91 Steel for my intake rings Stuart.

David

[MarkyM607]

I used silver Hum 11. Probably should have used 191 or 27001. I've also got the Freightdog Models Variable Geometry wing set for the Lightning. It says it is designed for the Airfix F.6 NT, but all I have is the Revell F.6 and the Matchbox T.55. Might be an excuse to buy another Lightning

[DavidWomby]

I think I will try BareMetal foil on the nose rings.

What are people using for the radome colour? They are fibreglass and wore fast and unevenly but my F1 will be an early delivery aircraft so it should still look pretty new.

David

[lancfan]

I'm using Revell Aqua 67 Green/Grey on my builds David.

David.

[Stuart]

Thanks for the tips Gents - I was going to try one of the Humbrol Metalcotes but I'll have a think. Looking forward to seeing the BMF

I use Humbrol 78 for my radomes - I think it matches the lighter green radomes nicely.

[DavidWomby]

Thanks for the tips Gents - I was going to try one of the Humbrol Metalcotes but I'll have a think. Looking forward to seeing the BMF

I use Humbrol 78 for my radomes - I think it matches the lighter green radomes nicely.

Here you are, Stuart. The foil is tricky stuff and barely sticks. Due to conical shape, there's a few small wrinkles but I like the effect overall.



You may also see some decals are on the upper wings. They are old Modeldecal ones and a bit goopy but I think they will do. At least none have cracked up yet.

David

[Stuart]

Wow that's looking superb David - you're a braver man than me!


I have to say I'm really enjoying this SB - There some great work going on guys!

Cheers

stuart

[lancfan]

Although the Sword intake vane/wheelbay/radome fitted in place without assistance the cockpit tub needed a little help and was held in place with a lump of plasticene until the cement had dried.


The fuselage halves fitted together a treat.


The cream coloured panels, DIY warning panels and other nose decals for the P.1a were applied to the nose, the anti-glare panel was also painted on.


David.

[lancfan]

The wings and undercarriage have been attached to the P.1a, getting close to the finish on this one now.



The wings have been made up for the Sword F.1a, although the detail matches the best of the mainstream kit makers the lack of locating pins, the proud ejector pins and the awkward positioning of the tabs holding the parts to the sprues mean that these kits do need careful preparation and sometimes frequent trial fitting but they certainly are worth the effort.


The wings are in place and the model begins to look like a Lightning.


David.

[Stuart]

That P.1a looks superb David! Looks like your home made decal worked well.

The F.1a is coming along nicely.

Cheers

Stuart