David Womby Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Looking at pics of early Lightnings today - F1, F1A and F2 - I noticed that early pics of the F1s have a fin tip that is a solid colour instead of the later, more familiar, black markings. Anybody know why the change and what colour was the original tip? David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Ranger Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 I'm by no means a Lightning expert, but I believe the fin tip was a dielectric antenna cover, and the change in appearance may be due to a change in electronics fit. I do remember reading that the difference between the F.1 and the F.1a was upgraded electronics in the latter. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Womby Posted January 12, 2017 Author Share Posted January 12, 2017 Thanks, Mike. Yes, it also looks like the early ones got a retrofit because later pics of the F1s show them with the usual black markings. I assume the early fin tip was grey but I'm guessing. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tempestfan Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 IIRC Airfix's colour indication for stuff like this was M14 Buff. Some pale yellow -green/brown may be in the ballpark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Ranger Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 It was probably fiberglass ("glass fibre" for my UK cousins), so the color could vary from that of straw to the color of honey or a golden brown. What we need is a vintage color (colour) photo clearly showing the fin tip of the F.1. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canberra kid Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 19 hours ago, Space Ranger said: It was probably fiberglass ("glass fibre" for my UK cousins), so the color could vary from that of straw to the color of honey or a golden brown. What we need is a vintage color (colour) photo clearly showing the fin tip of the F.1. The colour photos I have would suggest that black was the predominant colour, I've only found one that may be brown? John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Womby Posted January 13, 2017 Author Share Posted January 13, 2017 Thanks, John, but looking at the first photo I posted (albeit a BW one), I can't see it being black on the earliest aircraft. Are you able to post the one you think is brown? David 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canberra kid Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 18 minutes ago, David Womby said: Thanks, John, but looking at the first photo I posted (albeit a BW one), I can't see it being black on the earliest aircraft. Are you able to post the one you think is brown? David Hi David I did say it may be? I still think it is but it's the only one I've found that may be anything other than black. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
71chally Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 Hi John, I think what David is getting at is that the very early aircraft had a single fin cap finished in a light colour, as opposed to later when two black bands (for want of a better description) replaced it. This is especially evident on early 74 Sqn jets, before they went with the all black tail. A good comparison can be seen with T.4 XL629 early style and later 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Womby Posted January 13, 2017 Author Share Posted January 13, 2017 I just found this on an old (believe it or not) floppy disk!!!! I can't remember where it's from so I can't give due credit for the pic. My colour blindness is a problem so would folks like to give their opinions? David 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
71chally Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 Personally I would say a very light grey, but painted aluminum looks possible as well. Just seen some other colour shots online and they look the same. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 On a stalled F.1 I was working towards an AFDS aircraft I went with silver after looking at a few colour and B/W photos. Note that these early F.1 also had less aerials beside the nose wheel well and different wheel hubs. The latter being why my model stalled. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canberra kid Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 (edited) Thanks James, I'd go with painted, a light grey on silver aircraft, and whatever the fin colour is on painted fins such as black or white. John Edited January 13, 2017 by canberra kid missed a photo off 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canberra kid Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 Another photo of a F.1you can just make out the demarcation of the tip and the fin. John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 12 hours ago, canberra kid said: Thanks James, I'd go with painted, a light grey on silver aircraft, and whatever the fin colour is on painted fins such as black or white. John Based on this photo I'll need to rethink the fin top colour on my own one. Thanks for posting it John. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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