KingTiger435 Posted March 12, 2023 Share Posted March 12, 2023 Not much to say yet as I only started today, seats are almost done... I cut some cloth to size to replicate "sheepskin" seat covers I'd say they look quite good! The sword kit does come with PE but I didn't feel comfortable using the seatbelts due to the rigidity, I sacrificed details for a more natural look, I still think they look perfectly acceptable. Work on the cockpit has also started but nothing to write home about (just yet). Exhaust has got some paint on it but not ready just yet Intake is done, although on the sword kit that's a rather easy thing to do. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alhenderson Posted March 12, 2023 Share Posted March 12, 2023 Nice, going to follow this as I have doing a T.5 if I could get hold of one.. Al 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingTiger435 Posted March 12, 2023 Author Share Posted March 12, 2023 I just remembered that lightning ejection seats' bottom section is grey! Good thing I didn't stick them in yet... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingTiger435 Posted March 12, 2023 Author Share Posted March 12, 2023 Not much progress today unfortunately, but here's where I'm up to currently: Main thing holding me back right now is lack of superglue for PE parts in the cockpit. Wing fit is pretty bad, going to need puttying I am aware of this kit's reputation, might be a slightly longer-term project. I'm still motivated right now though, just need to buy some superglue... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingTiger435 Posted March 12, 2023 Author Share Posted March 12, 2023 If anyone following this build has photos of/links to lightning T.5 cockpits I'd greatly appreciate it if you could share it, having some difficulty finding what it looked like behind the seats, I've seen both grey and black in other builds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingTiger435 Posted March 13, 2023 Author Share Posted March 13, 2023 Not too much progress again today but I acquired glue for PE. Seats are now done (here they are dryfitted together) Next step is finishing the cockpit. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingTiger435 Posted March 14, 2023 Author Share Posted March 14, 2023 Currently doing some research on the airframe I chose to make (XS416) already noticed some things this is what it looks like according to the instructions However, looking at photographs, I can see some differences. https://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/lightning/survivor.php?id=184&image_id=2853 The camouflage seems to partially wrap around under the wing which isn't shown on the instructions camo shape looks a bit wrong too but overall it's not way too off. refuelling probe should be black. I think I'm going to model it with this funky looking firestreak. ↓ https://www.macksaviation.com/LightningProduction.php?show=XS416 (these photos aren't embedded on purpose as I haven't gotten permission to use them and I don't know what the rules are with this stuff) I'm not 100% sold on whether the underside is grey or a different shade of metal. https://abpic.co.uk/pictures/registration/XS416 https://derbosoft.proboards.com/thread/10061/binbrook-lightnings 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irish 251 Posted March 14, 2023 Share Posted March 14, 2023 Lightnings in grey/green camouflage had bare metal undersides, as they had worn pre-camo. The camouflage wrap-around under the leading-edge was standard also. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingTiger435 Posted March 14, 2023 Author Share Posted March 14, 2023 found an excellent source for all things T.5! https://www.xs420.com/diary.html So many photos... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingTiger435 Posted March 14, 2023 Author Share Posted March 14, 2023 Cockpit is done Now onto fitting everything in. I'm aware of this kit's "infamy" And Oh dear... Seems like mine has the same issues as everyone else. Oh well, got to keep pushing on! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingTiger435 Posted March 14, 2023 Author Share Posted March 14, 2023 I got it fully closed up, not that horrible actually, was able to get it to conform with a bit of force. The front will require a bit of work though... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingTiger435 Posted March 16, 2023 Author Share Posted March 16, 2023 Puttied and started sanding everything last night, dashboard cover on too, almost ready for paint... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingTiger435 Posted March 16, 2023 Author Share Posted March 16, 2023 Hopefully smooth sailing from here! I may attempt to fill the cockpit-fuselage gap before fitting the seats but I'm wondering if it's even worth it... Canopy completely covers it. I'll probably do it anyway to keep myself from thinking about it. Apart from that, only the exhaust left to fit and then onto painting! (and gear and other bits and bobs too but those go on after painting) 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray S Posted March 17, 2023 Share Posted March 17, 2023 That is looking pretty cool so far. I must admit I really like the Sword Lightnings. They need some work but it is worth it in the end. All the best, Ray 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingTiger435 Posted March 17, 2023 Author Share Posted March 17, 2023 2 hours ago, Ray S said: That is looking pretty cool so far. I must admit I really like the Sword Lightnings. They need some work but it is worth it in the end. All the best, Ray Thanks Ray, I must admit I'm left pleasantly surprised by this kit, considering sword's questionable reputation kit quality/fit-wise. I'll consider building more sword kits in the future (I already have an AEW gannet in my stash) I hope the landing gear won't be an issue, planning on doing that this afternoon as a sub-assembly 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alhenderson Posted March 17, 2023 Share Posted March 17, 2023 18 minutes ago, KingTiger435 said: Thanks Ray, I must admit I'm left pleasantly surprised by this kit, considering sword's questionable reputation kit quality/fit-wise. I'll consider building more sword kits in the future (I already have an AEW gannet in my stash) I hope the landing gear won't be an issue, planning on doing that this afternoon as a sub-assembly I built the Sword AEW Gannet last year, and found it a decent kit. Instructions left a lot to be desired, some parts were numbered wrongly but on the whole I didn't find it to be much worse than the "mainline" kits I'd built before. I'd definitely consider another Sword kit.. Al. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MD530F Posted March 19, 2023 Share Posted March 19, 2023 Looking great. The F1 kit that I completed not that long ago suffered from similar fit problems and you've done a good job correcting it. Interestingly, the gap between the flap and the fuselage seems to be present on all of them on that side only... I've got another six of them to build or something like that so it's always good to see how other people get on 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingTiger435 Posted March 19, 2023 Author Share Posted March 19, 2023 2 hours ago, MD530F said: Interestingly, the gap between the flap and the fuselage seems to be present on all of them on that side only... I'm not sure how/if I'm going to fix that, it's in such an awkward area and I don't have any plasticard to fix it. The kit is alright but I couldn't imagine building six more I wish you luck on your future plans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MD530F Posted March 19, 2023 Share Posted March 19, 2023 2 hours ago, KingTiger435 said: I'm not sure how/if I'm going to fix that, it's in such an awkward area and I don't have any plasticard to fix it. The kit is alright but I couldn't imagine building six more I wish you luck on your future plans. Use an old ATM card. Plastic card tends to be a bit thick. I would rather build these than try to use resin conversions on Airfix Lightnings 😄 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingTiger435 Posted March 21, 2023 Author Share Posted March 21, 2023 I have attempted to fix the flap, it's not perfect but it'll do, still smoothing it down a bit because it looks a bit rough but still better than the gap originally. I have also started a bit of very simple painting to see where touch-ups might be needed but it seems good! I also fixed the cockpit gap. I can start painting properly soon! (hopefully) 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingTiger435 Posted March 31, 2023 Author Share Posted March 31, 2023 Haven't had time to work on this model since, but I now have a two-week holiday so hopefully I'll get some work done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingTiger435 Posted April 22, 2023 Author Share Posted April 22, 2023 Still busy unfortunately but I have gotten the underside (mostly) done. Camo soon hopefully... 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingTiger435 Posted May 15, 2023 Author Share Posted May 15, 2023 Making progress on the camouflage. Camouflage provided in the instructions seems to be wrong compared to photographs I looked at so I tried to get it as close to real life as possible. Still needs some touch-ups. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MD530F Posted July 8, 2023 Share Posted July 8, 2023 That's looking good. Well done 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingTiger435 Posted July 9, 2023 Author Share Posted July 9, 2023 11 hours ago, MD530F said: That's looking good. Well done Thanks, I've been on holiday until now but progress is resuming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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