English Electric Lightning F.6 1:72 -XR728

[cathasatail]

Good afternoon,

I got this kit in early January at RNAS Yeovilton (along with the new Airfix sea king) and decided to build it as XR728- a lightning which I had seen fast-taxi during my first visit to Bruntingthorpe last year. The kit itself is Airfix's superb 1:72 Lightning F.6 which has a high level of detail and from what I gather- accuracy, except for the box-front which was missing both tailplanes... (I won't expand on this evaluation of the kit because there are plenty of reviews out there already)

As metioned above, I did the Lightning as XR728, it just so happens that on closer examination the kit decals were for XR728 so I didn't have to purchas any aftermarket decals. It was painted with the Vallejo "Air" paints, I mixed a variety of greys to use as the colour for the top of the wings and fuselage, I used "USAF Light Grey" for the underside and "Medium Olive" for the shock cone. For the appropriately named Red Top missiles, a range of reds, camouflage greens and a light grey was used to paint them.

-Modifications to the kit include, opening up one or two of the panel lines on the wings to allow an AK Interactive wash to flow through them after painting, the air vents/intakes (?) on the side of the fuselage just behind the cockpit were cut open as per reference pictures. And alas, apart from a few bits and pieces of plasticard in the cockpit, that was it.

Profile view, note the opened air intakes/vents (?) behind the cockpit

The cockpit, very little was added here- only one or two pieces of plasticard to highlight some more prominent items

A close-up of the nose, also note the belly cannons just below the rear of the missile's tail

A close-up of the shock cone (I tried to create a slight weathering effect on it)

The underside of the Lightning

An AK Interactive- "Engine and Turbines" wash was applied into the main gear bays

A closer view of the rear of the aircraft, showing the tailhook and some crisp decals from Airfix

The afterburner cans, try and ignore the slight defect that was created by myself (upper nozzle)

And finally, a wider view from the rear of the aircraft

So that's it for this build, overall a pleasant kit from Airfix, the decals were a nightmare to put on (white line decals along the upper surfaces of the wing) but I think it was worth it in the end.

Thanks for having a look,

Sam

[mcdonnell]

Hello,Sam - My compliments to you on a fine looking build of your 'Lightning'.I love the quality and detail of the paint and finishing work and commend the subtle but realistic weathering.Perhaps the final touch you may consider adding would be the Pitot Probe? It is a prominent feature on the Lightning and in the past I've used either a piece of Nickel Silver Rod or a trusty needle,held in place with a drop of Superglue.A fine tribute to the 'Brunters Jet'!! All the best,Paul.

[cathasatail]

Hello,Sam - My compliments to you on a fine looking build of your 'Lightning'.I love the quality and detail of the paint and finishing work and commend the subtle but realistic weathering.Perhaps the final touch you may consider adding would be the Pitot Probe? It is a prominent feature on the Lightning and in the past I've used either a piece of Nickel Silver Rod or a trusty needle,held in place with a drop of Superglue.A fine tribute to the 'Brunters Jet'!! All the best,Paul.

Thanks for the kind comments!

I was hoping nobody would notice It broke during construction and I hadn't got round to replacing it- I will be replaced in the future but right now the lightning is hung from the ceiling :3

Kind regards,

Sam

[mcdonnell]

Thanks for the kind comments!

I was hoping nobody would notice It broke during construction and I hadn't got round to replacing it- I will be replaced in the future but right now the lightning is hung from the ceiling :3

Kind regards,

Sam

Roger that,Sam! Good for you.There isn't a better place to pose your Lightning than in the sky!! Keep your airspeed up!!

[sean]

Nice looking Lightning, good job...

Sean

[F-32]

Nice work