cema_ga Posted April 17, 2018 Share Posted April 17, 2018 Hello mates! I want to build the Saudi AF EE Lightning Mk53 in 1/48. What Airfix boxing I need to buy? What modifications I need to do? I saw decals by Model Alliance, are they of good quality? Thanks in advance 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stever219 Posted April 17, 2018 Share Posted April 17, 2018 The Mk. 53 is based on the Mk. 6 but was fitted for underwing pylons outboard of the undercarriage bays which could each carry a 1,000lb bomb or a pair of SNEB rocket pods. There are photos of at least one Mk. 53 on the Walkaround page on this site and on Thunder and Lightnings, amongst others. I’ve no experience of using Model Alliance decals but others have commented on a lack of accuracy on some sheers, for example the 6 Squadron spotty Jaguar, and print density. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cema_ga Posted April 17, 2018 Author Share Posted April 17, 2018 3 minutes ago, stever219 said: The Mk. 53 is based on the Mk. 6 but was fitted for underwing pylons outboard of the undercarriage bays which could each carry a 1,000lb bomb or a pair of SNEB rocket pods. There are photos of at least one Mk. 53 on the Walkaround page on this site and on Thunder and Lightnings, amongst others. I’ve no experience of using Model Alliance decals but others have commented on a lack of accuracy on some sheers, for example the 6 Squadron spotty Jaguar, and print density. Great! Thanks a lot! So I need to buy the F.6 boxing and find Saudi decals from other producer...Are the pylons and SNEB pods included in Airfix kit? And what is correct type of 1000lb bombs (are they British or American)? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tempestfan Posted April 17, 2018 Share Posted April 17, 2018 1 hour ago, cema_ga said: .Are the pylons and SNEB pods included in Airfix kit? And what is correct type of 1000lb bombs (are they British or American)? I don’t think so, but drawings of the pylons were included in the Aeromodeller/SMI drawings (by C. J. Nicholls IIRC). SNEB pods could be sourced from the Aca Hunter (but I think only 2), not sure about Airfix and Esci Jags and Airfix Bucc 2B (Navy boxing likely has the RN 2 inch pods instead of 2.75). For the Lightning, 99% they are British bombs, but I‘ll leave the last word to Selwyn. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canberra kid Posted April 17, 2018 Share Posted April 17, 2018 Nothing to add, but some photos This is interesting as it also includes the Recon pod. John 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stever219 Posted April 17, 2018 Share Posted April 17, 2018 I’ve an idea that the Airfix Harrier and Sea Harrier kits also include SNEB pods but I’m not 100% sure and can’t access my kits just now. John’s photos also show the ventral rocket packs which were rarely, if ever, installed on RAF F. Mk. 6s. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cema_ga Posted April 18, 2018 Author Share Posted April 18, 2018 Thanks a lot! I found on e-bay the CMK's Resin 1/48 Matra Type 155 SNEB Rocket Launcher Pod (2 pcs) So, the only effort is to build the pylons. Or to display the model with AA missiles only Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selwyn Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 (edited) Bombs are british 1000Lb. Be aware the 155 SNEB pod pictures are not representative as they have red display rockets half loaded to the pods and underfuselage tray to show the war load for display purposes. The Saudi's F.53s saw brief action in December 1969 during a brief conflict in the South Yemen border area. Several ground attack sorties were flown, these ending the situation almost without any help from the Saudi army. Selwyn Edited April 18, 2018 by Selwyn 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canberra kid Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 1 minute ago, Selwyn said: Bombs are british 1000Lb. Be aware the 155 SNEB pod pictures are not representative as they have red display rockets half loaded to the pods and underfuselage tray to show the war load for display purposes. Selwyn Selwyn would the rocket pods in the Airfix B.(I)6/8 do? John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selwyn Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 2 minutes ago, canberra kid said: Selwyn would the rocket pods in the Airfix B.(I)6/8 do? John John, I wouldn't know as I have never seen the pods in this kit. they should look like the one in the first lightning picture post 5 and have 18 tubes. Selwyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canberra kid Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 Thanks Selwyn, I'll take a photo of them for you to see what you think. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
71chally Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 (edited) I have never seen pics of F.53s in service (which are rare), either with Kuwait or Saudi, with the missiles fitted. That's not to say they weren't ever fitted, but must have been rare. Aside from the single, or twin under wing Matra 155 18 round rocket pods option, (or one 1000Ib, two 450Ib bombs) there was a great looking twin JL100 over wing pack developed. Each overwing pack consisted of two 18 round rockets pods fitted in the nose of a 50 gallon fuel tank. The forward internal Microcel rocket packs were also retained. If you look for the EE Lighting on Wiki you will find a nice picture of this combination. Edited April 18, 2018 by 71chally 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selwyn Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 15 minutes ago, 71chally said: I have never seen pics of F.53s in service (which are rare), either with Kuwait or Saudi, with the missiles fitted. That's not to say they weren't ever fitted, but must have been rare. Aside from the single, or twin under wing Matra 155 18 round rocket pods option, (or one 1000Ib, two 450Ib bombs) there was a great looking twin JL100 over wing pack developed. Each overwing pack consisted of two 18 round rockets pods fitted in the nose of a 50 gallon fuel tank. The forward internal Microcel rocket packs were also retained. If you look for the EE Lighting on Wiki you will find a nice picture of this combination. 450Lb bomb? surely 450KG (roughly =1000lb!) Selwyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
71chally Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 Apologies yes, 1000Ib bombs. Two 1000Ils on each underwing pylon sounded too much but you are right. I had forgotten that the F.53 was originally designed to carry six 1000Ib bombs, two on special over wing adapters, but that idea was quickly dropped and I'm not sure if it was ever air trialed? Here's that pic of G-AXEE from Wiki, 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLC1966 Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 Its really odd seeing pictures of a bombed up Lightning. Like many on here, say the word Lighting and my minds eye has a jet sat on its tail reaching for the stars at Warp Factor 7. Didn't the Matchbox kit used to have the over wing rocket launchers ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio N Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 25 minutes ago, PLC1966 said: Its really odd seeing pictures of a bombed up Lightning. Like many on here, say the word Lighting and my minds eye has a jet sat on its tail reaching for the stars at Warp Factor 7. Didn't the Matchbox kit used to have the over wing rocket launchers ? No, only had the overwing tanks with the relative pylons. The ancient Airfix Mirage III kit had a pait of pretty poor JL100s in 1/72. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tempestfan Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 (edited) 35 minutes ago, PLC1966 said: Didn't the Matchbox kit used to have the over wing rocket launchers ? No, at least not the versions I have; they have the pure tanks. You may be thinking of the Airfix Mirage IIIC, which has the combined tanks/launchers, but only in a slightly less impressive single setup... Well, Giorgio beat me to it... I think the Airfix JL100 body is OK, the sharp end perhaps could be...sharper. Edited April 18, 2018 by tempestfan Great minds think alike... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLC1966 Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 Giorgio N, tempestfan, thank you Gents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canberra kid Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 James I've not found an "operational" photo of one with any weapons, the nearest is this nice shot of one with pylons. John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
71chally Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 Just to prove myself wrong, Red Top missiles! https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/94153448439903392/ with bombs https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/273030796134252271/ http://aviadejavu.ru/Images6/AE/AE72-6/304-1.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now