Soviet 'Lightning Bolt' *** Finished ***

[Old_Tonto]

I plan to build this one & it will have the yellow lightning bolt because it looks cool:


There has been a useful discussion about this Spitfire over on Britmodeller.
http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/inde ... -spitfire/
This suggests that the lightning bolt was applied for a short period but then removed as it attracted too much attention from other Soviet units! Yellow being the Luftwaffe theatre colour.

Original image:


Without lightning:


I will use the Revell 1/72 kit for this build, OOB apart from the decals.

[lancfan]

I have the AML decal sheet that includes that aircraft but without the lightning flash , it does look different and I think a little better with it.


David

[fearless frankie]

Go with the bolt, I'm hooked already.

[Old_Tonto]

The bolt it is then.

Not sure how I will paint the bolt yet?????

[splash]

It will look good with the bolt.

Regards Splash

[Old_Tonto]

It will look good with the bolt.

Regards Splash

I am planning on doing the bolt but it will be yellow (unlike the drawing) as this was the practice with the regiment.

I made a start on this Revell kit. The mould is showing its age as flash abounds but nothing a quick clean up didn't fix.
The panel lines are very nice & the parts fit really well. The cockpit tub is a little sparse but will do. I would normally tart it up a bit but in the interest of getting this GB completed on time I will skip all that other than adding seat harness from tape & dry-brushing a few details. Not much is visible through a Spitty hood anyway.

Construction started:



After an hours work this is where I'm up to:



The wing to fuselage join is spot on so I am rather pleased to avoid filling that. On the other hand the fuselage join at the nose is rough & will need sanding hard.
I always think the Revell engine cowl is too rounded anyway so a bit of work is re-shaping that section is worth the effort. I will get started with that tonight.

IIRC the wing tips are a terrible fit too.

More to follow.

[Old_Tonto]

I am really enjoying this build. It is almost the complete opposite of the Italeri kit.

The wing tips needed a little filler but no dramas. So a coat of Halfords primer was applied.



I left that overnight to dry before spraying the sky fuselage band, masking that off & starting work on the lightning bolt.
I sprayed a coat of white & then two coats of yellow. This is where I am up to:



Next I will mask off the bolt then apply the camo. Wish me look.

I will press on with this build now as I am sick of the Italeri kit.

[Dirkpitt289]

Now that's going to be a cool one.

[lancfan]

watching with interest.


David.

[Old_Tonto]

Not a lot of progress as I have been painting bedrooms rather than Spitfires of late.

No pics today as not much has progressed. I did manage to mask off the lightning bolt.
I applied it to both sides of the fuselage although I have no evidence that that it was on the right side.

Pics to follow & I will crack on with this now as we approach the deadline. I am determined to complete at least one Spitfire for this GB.

[TimJ]

Looking good.

[Old_Tonto]

Sorry for the lack of progress guys. I have been distracted by real life but this weekend I have painted the camo.

Firstly the top side got two coats of Xtracrylix Ocean Grey from my lovely new Badger airbrush. That was left overnight to dry thoroughly before I cut out some masks from Tamiya tape.
A bit of an experiment but I needed to get a hard edge.

Green was then applied, Xtracrylix RAF Dark Green.


So after leaving that to dry it was time to remove the tape. Drumroll please:



I am pretty pleased with that. A little rough around the edges but it was a field modification after all.
The bolt is very bright so I am assuming that a dull coat & weathering will fix that.

Since this picture was taken the underside has been painted & kleared. So tonight the decals will be going on.

I also discovered why this was a 99p Ebay buy - no canopy or cannons! Who would want those from this kit?
Fortunately I have spares & will steal the canopy from another Revell kit. If I had more time I would use a vacform replacement as the kit one looks too flat.

I am also working on the prop, U\C & canopy.

More to follow.

[lancfan]

Looking good.

David.

[splash]

Nice work OT it looks like your new air brush works a treat.

Regards Splash

[K5083]

Looking very nice. Love the paint scheme you chose.

August