Muzz Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Hi Can any of you well informed Lightning experts out there tell me if it was the F6 mark that wore the dark green paint scheme? I'm also looking to find out what the colours were and which Sqn used this scheme (I think it was around the same time as they went Barley Grey) as I can't seam to find any pictures of it in these colours. Thanks for any help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEZ Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 (edited) Hi Muzz, It was the F2A and some F2 'Hacks' which wore the green paint scheme. The lower half of the airframe, including the wings and tail plane were left in natural metal. 19 and 92 squadron flew in this scheme right up to 1977 when they were replaced by the Phantom FGR2. Andrew Edited October 22, 2008 by TEZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tripehound Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 While the well-informed Lightning experts are busy inspecting their tailpipes (of the new Trumpeter kit, of course) I'm pretty sure the F2A carried the Green upper surface colour, not sure about the F6. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted October 22, 2008 Author Share Posted October 22, 2008 Thanks guys, just after posting I remembered about another site where I found lots of Photo's of.... F2A's! Whats the external differance's to the F2A and the F6? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DamienB Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 In general - guns in the F.2A's nose, guns in the belly tank on the F.6. Also the F.2A's cable duct along the side of the fuselage ends near the rear of the missile pylon, the F.6 duct goes much further forward. General rundown to mark differences at the bottom of this page: http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/li...g/survivors.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlet Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 No F6's were painted in the green colour scheme although a couple of T5's were painted up one in green and the other in Grey when the camoflage scheme was being evaluated. Now back to the Trumpy jet pipes......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham T Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 No F6's were painted in the green colour scheme although a couple of T5's were painted up one in green and the other in Grey when the camoflage scheme was being evaluated. Now back to the Trumpy jet pipes......... IIRC it was the RAFG based F2A units (19 & 92) that were so painted for camouflage purposes when on the ground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted October 22, 2008 Author Share Posted October 22, 2008 Thanks for the help guys, was bidding for an Airfix 1/48 kit on ebay and somehow managed to win it, woo hoo I originally thought it was just the F6 variant but you can actually build the F6 and F2A, so should be able to do the green scheme afterall!! Is there any problems etc I should watch for with this kit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham T Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Thanks for the help guys, was bidding for an Airfix 1/48 kit on ebay and somehow managed to win it, woo hoo I originally thought it was just the F6 variant but you can actually build the F6 and F2A, so should be able to do the green scheme afterall!! Is there any problems etc I should watch for with this kit? Where do I start? No seriously, it's a superb kit but watch out for warped wings which is a recurrent problem, fixable but annoying. Some modelers have issues with Airfix decals but Ive always found them OK, however there are plenty of aftermarket sheets available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousFO98 Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 While the well-informed Lightning experts are busy inspecting their tailpipes (of the new Trumpeter kit, of course) Why? Is there a problem with the Trumpeter Lightening tailpipes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tripehound Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 Why? Is there a problem with the Trumpeter Lightening tailpipes? Should be at the back, apparently. Schoolboy error, Trumpeter... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousAA72 Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 HiCan any of you well informed Lightning experts out there tell me if it was the F6 mark that wore the dark green paint scheme? I'm also looking to find out what the colours were and which Sqn used this scheme (I think it was around the same time as they went Barley Grey) as I can't seam to find any pictures of it in these colours. Thanks for any help. Hi Muzz, Check out this website. In the picture section you'll see photo's of more or less ALL F2 or converted F2a aircraft. Lightnings..... I love the F2a schemes, in particular the blue finned 92 Sqn machines, but the Green ones look good too! There's plenty of Lightning builds on this site - just use the search function! I've built a few of the Airfix 1/48th kits over the last 10 years - including an F2a in Green. Watch out for the wings in the kit. A few of my kits had some warpage that needed straightening out, and the kinked wing is a bugger to get right!! But its one of Airfix's better offerings...so enjoy it!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Belbin Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 Whilst on the subject of Lightnings – does anybody know anything about the one flown against the Spitfire PR19 as a 'comparison' to see how it would tackle Mustangs (in a conflict the name of which escapes me right now) ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilF92 Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 Whilst on the subject of Lightnings – does anybody know anything about the one flown against the Spitfire PR19 as a 'comparison' to see how it would tackle Mustangs (in a conflict the name of which escapes me right now) ? IIRC the conclusion was that the Lightning pilot was OK as long as he used the speed and power to simply zoom in , shoot and out again . A slow turning fight with the Spit was not a good idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham T Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 Whilst on the subject of Lightnings – does anybody know anything about the one flown against the Spitfire PR19 as a 'comparison' to see how it would tackle Mustangs (in a conflict the name of which escapes me right now) ? It was due to the possible conflict with Indonesia over Malaya. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted October 24, 2008 Author Share Posted October 24, 2008 I've found one of my old Scale Aviation Modeller's from 2006 with an article on the Airfix kit. It's a build by Tony Gloster in which he talks about the warped wings and there's a head on shot of the finished kit which shows it quite clearly, I'll need to watch out for that. There's also lots of side profiles with all the differant colour schemes. I'm now struggling to decide between the all green, green/grey and light grey. Great link by the way Bill. The only problem I can see is the decals aint supposed to be that great and there doesn't seem to be many (if any) sheets produced in 1/48 for the later colour schemes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tornado64 Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 I've found one of my old Scale Aviation Modeller's from 2006 with an article on the Airfix kit. It's a build by Tony Gloster in which he talks about the warped wings and there's a head on shot of the finished kit which shows it quite clearly, I'll need to watch out for that. There's also lots of side profiles with all the differant colour schemes. I'm now struggling to decide between the all green, green/grey and light grey. Great link by the way Bill.The only problem I can see is the decals aint supposed to be that great and there doesn't seem to be many (if any) sheets produced in 1/48 for the later colour schemes. i made the f1 f2 variant in 23 squdron markings and can't praise the kit highly enough Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousA667 Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 Whilst on the subject of Lightnings – does anybody know anything about the one flown against the Spitfire PR19 as a 'comparison' to see how it would tackle Mustangs (in a conflict the name of which escapes me right now) ? The trials were undertaken by the Air Fighting Development Squadron, part of the Central Fighter Establishment, whilst based a Binbrook. The Spitfire had been delivered to Binbrook and was intended to be a pole mounted gate guardian, but instead it had been maintained in flying condition. In 1963 during the Indonesian 'troubles' it was realised that Lightnings might have to engage Indonesian Air Force P-51's. The RAF no longer had any flying P-51's, but they did have the Spitfire, that was adjudged to have similar performance characteristic to mount a realistic trial. The then Wing Commander (later AVM) John Nicholl's reported that the best mode of attack was in a climb from underneath the Spitfire's blind spot, which also had the advantage of giving the best IR sig for a missile attack. There is a picture of the Spitfire, P5853, posed with CFE Lightning XP695, but whether the latter was the Lightning used in the trials I couldn't say. peebeep Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted October 29, 2008 Author Share Posted October 29, 2008 Well the kit arrived the other day and it looks pretty stunning for an Airfix kit, (haven't been near an Airfix kit in over 10 years), the parts are flash free and the detail very sharp, the wings look to be warp free too! I've purchased a few extras as well, Aires cockpit, Eduard detail set and Aeroclub nose weight, undercarriage and nose ring. I was also pleasantly surprised by the decal sheet which looks good other than a few blemishes. The one problem, however, after deciding (I think) to go with an F2A of 92 Sqn in the all green scheme the aircraft serial number is missing from the sheet, the clear decal film is there but nothing printed on it! The instruction sheet also says that the 92Sqn machine should have gold coloured wheel wells and doors, I'm assuming this is a Sqn "thing", can anyone tell me if this applies to all 92 Sqn aircraft? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fmk.6john Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Muzz, The gold colour was a special etch primer used prior to painting, for some reason this was extensivley used by 92Sqd and so their birds were the ones seen with gold legs for a while. This is the only plausable reason I have been given for this colouring and that it was nothing special nor a squadron thing but if anyone can stump up with more info, I am all ears. Regards, JB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgar Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Don't know if it's at all relevant, but do you remember the gold foil on Cadbury's Bournville chocolate? I used some for a gold area, on a model, and decided to wipe it over with some white spirit. Bad idea; when I'd done, the foil was the standard silver, and there was a yellow stain on the paper towel. Silver foil + transparent yellow paint = gold foil; maybe the primer had the same effect on the metal legs? Edgar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennP Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 Muzz,The gold colour was a special etch primer used prior to painting, for some reason this was extensivley used by 92Sqd and so their birds were the ones seen with gold legs for a while. This is the only plausable reason I have been given for this colouring and that it was nothing special nor a squadron thing but if anyone can stump up with more info, I am all ears. Regards, JB. Morning, I'm sure that i read somewhere that it was some sort of protective lubricant......... I'll see if i can find the book i saw it in. Rgds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fmk.6john Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 GlennP Not sure about lubricant?, why would they want to lubricate the entire undercart legs and bay doors, especially the wheels as it would get on the brakes, lubricant and brake don't generally mix well . Still, I like your thinking and the more research done then the definitive answer may be found!. Regards, JB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted November 6, 2008 Author Share Posted November 6, 2008 (edited) Thanks for the replies guys, bought a copy of Fred Martins, Lightning Force in which there's a picture of a 19 Sqn aircraft at Gutersloh in 1972. The undercarriage legs appear an off silver / pale gold colour and the caption reads "It has an application of protective lacquer on the undercarriage, this being a common feature on many of Gutersloh's Lightnings". Glad I found this as the kit instructions would have you paint everything gold!! Edited November 6, 2008 by Muzz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennP Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 Thanks for the replies guys, bought a copy of Fred Martins, Lightning Force in which there's a picture of a 19 Sqn aircraft at Gutersloh in 1972. The undercarriage legs appear an off silver / pale gold colour and the caption reads "It has an application of protective lacquer on the undercarriage, this being a common feature on many of Gutersloh's Lightnings". Glad I found this as the kit instructions would have you paint everything gold!! Ah, yes that's where i read it!!.......ok, so it's not a lubricant, cheers for that. JB in that case, yep, have to agree with you on both counts mate!! Wonder why it was 19, 92 that only did it though? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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