The west wing Posted March 2, 2021 Author Share Posted March 2, 2021 1 hour ago, Paulaero said: That's a great fit for the canopy and great Idea for the visor, not so sure about the red cross, looks a bit first aid ..... I have to agree with the red cross, in retrospect I would have masked the cross and made it smaller and finer in the bar thickness. Too late now...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The west wing Posted March 2, 2021 Author Share Posted March 2, 2021 Well I have decided it is not too late so canopy has been removed and helmet repainted white. This time I will mask or use fine decal to get the red cross. Good to have someone looking over your shoulder during the build 😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulaero Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 Did the red cross ever feature on the bone domes ?? Don't forget the upper seat firing handle too..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The west wing Posted March 2, 2021 Author Share Posted March 2, 2021 Yes the red cross was on 226 OCU bone domes , OMG I did forget the firing handle the over the shoulder view works!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Poultney Posted March 3, 2021 Share Posted March 3, 2021 Build looks great so far! Like a vertical Lightning; it's how they are supposed to be (apart from that rare Lightning F1 hanging up at Cosford, could they put up a different variant on the ceiling instead grump grump) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The west wing Posted March 3, 2021 Author Share Posted March 3, 2021 21 hours ago, Paulaero said: Did the red cross ever feature on the bone domes ?? Don't forget the upper seat firing handle too..... I'm glad I replaced the red cross it is far closer to the one i have seen in a photo of the time. Firing handle also fitted, I will have been gutted to realise this was missing later in the build, thanks again Paulearo. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweeky Posted March 3, 2021 Share Posted March 3, 2021 Sorry to burst your bubble but the canopy frame we quite substantial on the lightning, the two main panels were double glazed Perspex with silica gel type driers mounted on the rear part of the canopy. The upper panel was different this was thick glass and had a bluey/green tint to it, it as very much like and extension of the front centre windscreen. Great work on the burners, used to love watching early evening/night take offs Reheat glowing light purple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The west wing Posted March 4, 2021 Author Share Posted March 4, 2021 23 hours ago, tweeky said: Sorry to burst your bubble but the canopy frame we quite substantial on the lightning, the two main panels were double glazed Perspex with silica gel type driers mounted on the rear part of the canopy. The upper panel was different this was thick glass and had a bluey/green tint to it, it as very much like and extension of the front centre windscreen. I agree the canopy frame is very heavy and hope to maintain the frame thickness. I rubbed down the canopy frames on the clear plastic moulding as I thought they were too pronounced, and in real life will stick up about an inch. This also allowed me to rub down and polish the canopy fully. One of the things i want to capture is the flat slab of glass at the front that blends into the nose fuselage without a step. From photographs I can see the top panel of glass is tinted, however some photo's look like the front section is also tinted, but this might be someting to do with the way the pictures were taken or the thickness of the glass slab. Any thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweeky Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 (edited) They may look it but I think its down to the thickness of the Frt screen and the 1/4 lights. Edited March 4, 2021 by tweeky typo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The west wing Posted March 14, 2021 Author Share Posted March 14, 2021 Alclad black base now sprayed on, it has shown up so many scratches! So rubdown and re-spray in the week. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The west wing Posted March 26, 2021 Author Share Posted March 26, 2021 Alclad polished Aluminium sprayed on the nose ring then the ballance of the Lightning sprayed Aluminium, The leading edge then had a coat of polished Aluminium over the base Aluminium. Not quite as much contrast as I expected, but I think its ok as the original aircraft was about 5 years old in 1967 and still quite clean. I only hope when gloss layer added the effect is not lost. I've been altering the coloured filters on the exhausts and reducing the light intensity to improve the look. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles87 Posted March 27, 2021 Share Posted March 27, 2021 I like your interpretation of the Mk2 ‘bone dome’. An ex-RAF Pilot I knew in the UK called it his space helmet and said it was extremely heavy. John PS I believe the yellow bar was called the ‘G’ stop bar. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The west wing Posted April 9, 2021 Author Share Posted April 9, 2021 I've added more shades of Alclad Aluminium, and finished with a few coats of Alclad aqua gloss. The acrylic gloss coat went on well sprayed at 35 psi with an initial white haze on the surface. After it dried nice and clear noticed two fingerprints in the middle of the upper wing surface, so I wiped the gloss off with IPA and resprayed and was much improved. Now leaving it for a few days to fully harden and cure so can then do the decals. 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Belbin Posted April 9, 2021 Share Posted April 9, 2021 This is looking fantastic with some very neat ideas. Nick 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tornado 01 Posted April 10, 2021 Share Posted April 10, 2021 Oh it does look good 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The west wing Posted April 15, 2021 Author Share Posted April 15, 2021 Thanks again to Nathan who found me the tail badge and cockpit side St.George bars for 226 OCU. Next step sealing coat of Alclad aqua gloss then some light weathering. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The west wing Posted April 30, 2021 Author Share Posted April 30, 2021 Almost to the final stage. I've tried a pin wash but was not happy with the results so have gone for a Flory wash mixture of black and concrete to give a mid gray effect. Now I have committed myself just hope it works. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The west wing Posted May 3, 2021 Author Share Posted May 3, 2021 I've found interdental cleaning brushes good for cleaning up the Flory wash in the difficult bits. The soft rubber tips work well without damaging the surface. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortCummins Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 4 minutes ago, The west wing said: I've found interdental cleaning brushes good for cleaning up the Flory wash in the difficult bits. The soft rubber tips work well without damaging the surface. that's a good tip thanks for sharing rgds John(shortCummins) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The west wing Posted May 9, 2021 Author Share Posted May 9, 2021 Just finished off the Lightning. A few last issues sorted out. One the position of the missiles on the launchers going by the kit appeared too far back, the second masking over the blue tint on the canopy left a sticky residue. This was cleaned off with IPA and re sprayed. A big thanks to all who have given feedback during the build and Nathan for the 226 OCU decals. Finished item going in the RFI section. 2 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