Airfix 1/48 Lightning F3

[zero]

Well I started this the other day, the second phantom is nearly there, and I really didn't fancy bashing out a third yet. So I started one of my lightnings.

I'm unsure of marking, at present, I was going to do a F1a, but decided to do a F3 and do the F1a next when I make less errors building a second, ie paint can hide more sins than Alcad.

So heres some build pictures, and a list of bits I'm using in the build.

Airfix F1a/F3 kit

Eduard Paint masks

Eduard Etch set

Two mikes Resin FOD Cover

So of the etch bits attached, ie inner wheel well blanks, Jet pip nozzles etc.

And where I am now

Thanks for looking

Dave

[Col.]

Fast work Dave! When you say 'the other day' are we talking a week or less?

Always good to see another Airfix Lightning on the bench as opposed to lurking in a stash

[avro683]

Dave, I hope you don't mind me asking but which leading edges did you use? Those ones look like they are the kinked ones for the later F6.

Tony

[AnonymousAA72]

Dave, I hope you don't mind me asking but which leading edges did you use? Those ones look like they are the kinked ones for the later F6.

Tony

So they are!! Oops!! But...as far as I can remember each kit came with its own upper wings? So the F1/F1a/F2/F3 came with straight wings and the F2a/F6 came with kinked wings? Or does each kit have both?

Edited February 4, 2010 by Bill Clark

[zero]

Bu@@er,

Your right, and I've only just glued the buggers on too. (and there really on, I wish I had looked back at this sooner)

Thats bL@@DY annoying as Is as I unpacked the kit, you can add the bottom leading edges the upper wings dictate what platform you built and there only one in each box!!!, never thought to damn well check before hand, but now I can see it, and your right, and the only two lightning kits I have down here are both F1a and yes they both have different top wing platforms! ARGHHHHHHHH!!!!!

I have a F6 lightning upstairs which I bought from a seller on here ie he sold me a F1a and a F6 at the same time, my only thought is he's has accidently mixed them up, or it's a packing error. I'm off to work shortly, I just packed up for the day, I'll get my son to get the F6 Lightning out of the loft when he gets home and I'll check tomorrow if the F6 wings, are in there, or if there now grafted to my F3.6

Edited February 4, 2010 by zero

[dambuster]

I may be wrong but weren't the F6 wings first trialled on an F3 airframe?

Rather limits your choice of markings, however.

Peter

[avro683]

So they are!! Oops!! But...as far as I can remember each kit came with its own upper wings? So the F1/F1a/F2/F3 came with straight wings and the F2a/F6 came with kinked wings? Or does each kit have both?

Can't actually remember Bill, must take a look.

Tony

[zero]

So they are!! Oops!! But...as far as I can remember each kit came with its own upper wings? So the F1/F1a/F2/F3 came with straight wings and the F2a/F6 came with kinked wings? Or does each kit have both?

no, one wing set per kit!!!

[zero]

Can't actually remember Bill, must take a look.

Tony

I just have, it's a Mispack! I have one F6 model kit and it sealed, and to be honest this one was sealed to I remember it was now, as the other one had somebits off sprue and as this one was for a Group build on pro modeller I decided to use the unopened one, with all the bit on the spure for a sprue shot.

Dave

[zero]

Well I've been looking at my options. I have 3 correct kits, and one with an Error, what do I manage to do, pick to build the one with the error.

so if I break off these wings, I lose a kit, and have no wings spare to build it with anyway. the F6 kit has the right wings as do the other F1 kits, so my only options are to build this as is, or modify the wings on this one. so that what I'm going for.

I've had a good look and with Mr Demel I can cut off the kink and reshape the wing, I'm going to lose a panel line or two and an access panel, but it should work as I have meat to remove, over the other way round. ie a F1 Wing on a F6, would be a bin job.

Hear my plan. cut of the excess, and fill and shape to suit, sadly it my only option. unless I can find some details of the F3 that tested the F6 wing.

Dave

[zipper]

Thats so unlucky Dave and such a shame, it was going together so quick I thought it would of been on display this Sunday

[AAbshier]

Nice start! I'm about ready to start painting my Eduard/Airfix F1A, and my Airfix F2.

Andy

[zero]

Thats so unlucky Dave and such a shame, it was going together so quick I thought it would of been on display this Sunday

That sadly was never going to happen as I need some alcads I only have copper left. mind you I'm will impressed with the Games Workshop paints. (i bought two different silvers to do the panel shades with) sadly I'm not going to be doing an NMF finish this time now.

I've had a good look at the kit, and if you look at the sprue with the wings on, you can see both sets of wings are molded on the one sprue, and then the waste wings were removed, and probably recycled back in to the system. so clearly the wrong set was removed in my case.

The most annoying thing is, I checked the part numbers for the underwing front panel and they didn't fit, I had to get the cranked ones out of the spares, I presumed it was just mine or Airfix's error in the instruction, that should have rung alarm bells but sadly it didn't. Also if I had built it with corrected wings I would have had a whole kit with no wings so it would have been off to Airfix for spares, and if they didn't have them the whole kit would be scraped for 2 bits.

the other thing I've heard, and I'm unsure how true it is, but I've heard it more than once, all kits where packed by prisoners, therefore it would be really easy for a disgrunted person to clip the wrong bits. Anyway no point in moaning whats done is done, I've now got to repair this back to a F3 wing, and hopefully I can pull it off.

[zero]

One down, one to go.

[zero]

Well I think I have got away with it.

about an hours Extra work, I have put the panel lines back in but we will see after a coat of primer.

ie the finished wing profile.

Before

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1409/6773...5/382241317.jpg

After

Phew!

How does it look people?

Dave

Edited February 5, 2010 by zero

[Alan P]

Great save Dave, (although personally i would have left it, being a lazy type!)

Funny how these things come about though innit? Who'd have thought of checking for a mix-up like that in the first place?

:

[zero]

Great save Dave, (although personally i would have left it, being a lazy type!)

Funny how these things come about though innit? Who'd have thought of checking for a mix-up like that in the first place?

:

Thanks

Yep, I really should have realise. For once I was following the instructions, and the parts for the front of the wing (underneath) were the ones listed, so when they didn't fit, I should have checked, but I just thought Airfix had got it wrong again. ARGH!!!!!

Either way, I would have had to wait for part, or just use this kit for spares, so the modification has been worth it (and I still have 3 good Lightning to build in my stash now)

Dave

[AnonymousAA72]

Great Save...Dave!! Watch out for the ailerons - thety were different on the "straight" wing.

[ScottC]

Dave

You need to alter the ailerons as the are not the same on the 6 as the 3 and the wing tip nav lights are in a differant location

Scott

[zero]

Dave

You need to alter the ailerons as the are not the same on the 6 as the 3 and the wing tip nav lights are in a differant location

Scott

Great Save...Dave!! Watch out for the ailerons - thety were different on the "straight" wing.

Thanks for the Warning Guys, but already noted, Cheer.

The F6 has smaller Ailerons, the F1/3 versions extented around the side wing and runs up level with the Navlights. ie /_____i_/ not /_i_____i_/

But a massive thanks for looking out for me, I'm now armed with the Alcad I need and some new Knife blades after a trip to the MK show.

Dave

[zero]

Well a bit more do, getting all the little bits that need putting on before painting in place and also painting the smaller parts as well

So far, so good

I've also fully corrected the alirons now two so they extend up to the nav light and around the side of the wing, which doesn;t happen on the F6 Wing

Dave

[hazza]

WOW nice, you are really quick

[saralucythierry]

Gosh, you have saved the Bu@@er very well!!!

It looks just great and I'm looking forward to seeing this one finished!!

Keep them coming!

Thierry (my first ever post on Britmodeller!!... For you my Friend!!)

[zero]

Gosh, you have saved the Bu@@er very well!!!

It looks just great and I'm looking forward to seeing this one finished!!

Keep them coming!

Thierry (my first ever post on Britmodeller!!... For you my Friend!!)

Thanks Mate, so good to see you here, I really hope you enjoy your stay, and I know you'll be made to feel as welcome here As I have been.

Dave

PS Well done on that Bronze Again, at Modelkraft 2010

[zero]

Plan of action.

Firstly the Bird has been completely coated in Alcad Steal.

I'm now Reworking the areas that need work, panel lines correcting etc.

After this I will cover some of the small access covers with masking and then using a different Alcad do some more panels, ie Airbrakes (maybe) and the like, then mask them off and then the last coat will be the top coat, once on, all the amasking can come off, and the bird should be ready for decaling. I've decided to go with a NMF as the work on the wings looks okay

Dave

Edited February 10, 2010 by zero