Page 1 of 1
Airfix 1:72 Lightning F6
Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2017 9:25 pm
by matto21
Hello all,
Been away from modelling for about 2 years. I was working on an Airfix 1:48 Hurricane but that's stalled...mind you I have moved house in the meantime.
I've always loved the Lightning, one of my earliest memories is seeing one at an airshow with my dad sometime in the 80's. I can still remember the ground shaking after a vertical climb.
This kit has been in my stash for about 2 years and I've bought a few extras to use with it. Progress will be slow...
box.jpg
I'm going to use the Barracuda Cast resin replacement cockpit set. The difference between the kit parts and the resin item is clear to see:
original cockpit.jpg
resin cockpit.jpg
Re: Airfix 1:72 Lightning F6
Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2017 9:32 pm
by matto21
The resin cockpit fits reasonably well into the fuselage into the fuselage - dry fitted only here.
installed cockpit.jpg
There are several large ejector pin marks within the fuselage that need removing because they interfere with the fit once the intake part is installed.
gaps.jpg
By removing these and sanding the sides of the intake heavily, you get a much better fit. Again only dry fitted here but the difference is clear.
no gaps.jpg
And this is about as far as I've got!
Thanks for looking
Matt
Re: Airfix 1:72 Lightning F6
Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2017 3:51 am
by DrSprue
Cool, slow is cool as well!. Count me in to follow.
Never attempted resin myself so all new for me as well...
Re: Airfix 1:72 Lightning F6
Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2018 10:01 pm
by matto21
So, skipping a few steps, here's where I'm up to:
I tried a midway point between preshading and black basing in an attempt to get a shaded effect with less effort. It was partially successful I think, as hopefully this photo of the underside shows.
Onwards I go with the decalling!
Matt
Re: Airfix 1:72 Lightning F6
Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2018 1:31 am
by DBMiller
That cockpit really makes a difference! Very nice!
Re: Airfix 1:72 Lightning F6
Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2018 1:48 pm
by matto21
Thanks! It does but the cockpit aperture is really tiny so I've not bothered with all the details!
Re: Airfix 1:72 Lightning F6
Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2018 12:32 pm
by chief5437
Looking very nice so far, good luck with the rest of the build!
Re: Airfix 1:72 Lightning F6
Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 8:02 pm
by aur0ra145
That's some wonderful looking resin. Looks like the build is going well!
Re: Airfix 1:72 Lightning F6
Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2018 9:30 am
by matto21
aur0ra145 wrote: Thu Jan 18, 2018 8:02 pm
That's some wonderful looking resin. Looks like the build is going well!
It's not been without its challenges but I'm on the home stretch now. Next up is sorting out the undercarriage so I can get it on its own legs!
Resin is a definite improvement but in hindsight it might not have been worth the effort!
Re: Airfix 1:72 Lightning F6
Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2018 10:48 pm
by matto21
Today's progress has been around trying to get the undercarriage sorted.
I've used resin items again from Barracuda Studios. The tyres aren't painted yet but the hubs look great with a wash to highlight the detail.

Re: Airfix 1:72 Lightning F6
Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 1:00 am
by chief5437
wheels look nice, but i know what you mean about the cockpit, the lightning cockpit is tiny irl, so at 1/72 its hard to see much, especially if you close the canopy! i see you got one of the kits that have the rear stab missing on the boxart, lol. i cant imagine how they missed that!
looking great so far though, lightning is one of my fave jets as well.
Re: Airfix 1:72 Lightning F6
Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 2:45 am
by Twokidsnosleep
Blown away by the paint a few posts ago....BEAUTIFUL!!!
Re: Airfix 1:72 Lightning F6
Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 3:31 am
by DrSprue
Oh man that looks cool! Love the paintwork!

Re: Airfix 1:72 Lightning F6
Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 10:11 am
by matto21
Thank you so much for the positive comments!
Let's get these tyres painted - but which colour?

Re: Airfix 1:72 Lightning F6
Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 10:54 am
by matto21
chief5437 wrote: Mon Jan 22, 2018 1:00 am
wheels look nice, but i know what you mean about the cockpit, the lightning cockpit is tiny irl, so at 1/72 its hard to see much, especially if you close the canopy! i see you got one of the kits that have the rear stab missing on the boxart, lol. i cant imagine how they missed that!
looking great so far though, lightning is one of my fave jets as well.
You're totally right - I never would have noticed the missing stab if you hadn't mentioned it. Now I've noticed, I can't believe I missed it!
Re: Airfix 1:72 Lightning F6
Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2018 2:44 am
by Spook
awesome looking build matto21. got abit of a soft spot for the lighting as I used to live at raf binbrook and ive crawled all over these
Re: Airfix 1:72 Lightning F6
Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2018 2:14 pm
by TommyKillander
That looks fantastic!
This was one of the first kits I built when I got back to the hobby... Well, your model looks lightyears ahead mine
Keep up the good work!

Tommy
Re: Airfix 1:72 Lightning F6
Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2018 6:22 pm
by matto21
Nearly there!
Just the ejector seat to paint, the pitot and canopy to add and a coat of flat varnish.
Matt
Re: Airfix 1:72 Lightning F6
Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2018 12:01 pm
by Spook
Awsome work pal
Re: Airfix 1:72 Lightning F6
Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2018 2:35 pm
by DrSprue
Just awesome!
