TC`s 1/48 EE Lightning Thread

[tc2324]

Had a couple of these in my stash for some time now with the view to build a, (shock.., horror....,), 74 Sqn machine.

However, I have alway liked the look of the `shark`s mouth` 5 Sqn Lightning, so I thought it a good idea to build this first so that I can get used to the kit, find any problems and tackle them head on. This way, when I get to the 74 version, hopefully I know what I`m doing.

Kit and decals below.

[scotthldr]

Looks like a good choice of subject you've picked, will be watching with interest

[tc2324]

Taken me a couple of days to get the cockpit and intake complete with work starting on the exhausts tomorrow. As you should know by now, cockpits are my pet hate, but I think thats down to the 1/72 scale I usually work with. Quite enjoyed the bigger 1/48 scale and a lot less eye straining.

As usual, a piccie update below and apologies for the lighting, damn these early dark nights.....!

[tc2324]

Piccie update from the last couple of days. Main fuselage now put together with enough weight in the front to sink a battleship. No tail sitting with this one and it all seems to have fitted together quite well.





Then found an issue with the wings in that the pointy bit at the end on both of the lower wing sections was bent/curled. A little man handleing seems to have straightened them out into a better fit.

[tc2324]

And so the build comes to a halt as I await a few paint supplies to arrive as continueing to build may complicate things and I start getting swamped in masking tape.



First issue I have found with this kit is that the nose cone is not the snug fit it should be.......



........ although that may be due to me rather than the kit itself. If I can`t figure it out, then a slight touch of filler may be the only option.

Also, as I use `rattle cans` for my spraying, I seem to be having a problem judging which `grey` is closest to the `camo grey` stated on the decal sheet?

Any advice welcome.

[scotthldr]

Coming along nicely. Are you planning on installing seat harnesses as the seat could be done with looking a bit busier?

With regards the nose ring, how about cutting off the rear lip of the ring and butting it directly onto the fuselage or chamfer the internal surface of the fuselage which should allow the ring to slid in more.

As for your colour question, the only spray can I can find to be a close match would be Tamiya XF19 Sky Grey which is listed as being FS 36314 'Flint Grey'.

[tc2324]

Coming along nicely. Are you planning on installing seat harnesses as the seat could be done with looking a bit busier?

With regards the nose ring, how about cutting off the rear lip of the ring and butting it directly onto the fuselage or chamfer the internal surface of the fuselage which should allow the ring to slid in more.

As for your colour question, the only spray can I can find to be a close match would be Tamiya XF19 Sky Grey which is listed as being FS 36314 'Flint Grey'.

Cheers Scott, I`ll give that a look up and try.

[Dan214sqn]

looking good mate

[tc2324]

Back to the Frightning....., the weather has not been helpfull this week and I only just managed to get a small window of time to head out into the garden and get the main fuselage top surfaces sprayed up. The undersides was completed with the hairy stick and Tamiya XF-19. The top sides are sprayed on using Tamiya AS-32 medium sea grey.

Now as the greys are quite a close match, it proved a tad difficult to get a decent photo so I took two, one with flash, the other without and hopefully you can see the combination of the two shades. I think I`ve got pretty close to the colour scheme and I`m reasonably happy with it.

[Abhorsen]

I can just about make it out.

Great progress mate.

Ab

[tc2324]

After the work on it tonight, it`s starting to look like a Lightning now. Weapons and u/c also worked on.

[Abhorsen]

Getting there mate.

Nice job on the canopy masking too.

Alan

[Vlad the Inhaler]

I keep expecting to see an engine with a five bladed prop sprout out of the tailfin.......

[tc2324]

Cheers Alan.

I keep expecting to see an engine with a five bladed prop sprout out of the tailfin.......

Not on this forum Vlad. Trying to keep the whifs off it.

Added a flory wash today to really bring out those panel lines. Again pretty happy with the results.

[Abhorsen]

Wow, that has created a lovely definition of the panel lines.

Alan

[Vlad the Inhaler]

Wow, that has created a lovely definition of the panel lines.

Alan

Agreed, I have the Flory dark dirt and black washes and have yet to get realy stuck in with them but all the pics you see show good results

[tc2324]

So tonight the task or decalling started with adding the Xtradecal set. That bit was easy. Adding the other `bog standard` decals may prove to be a tad more boring, if not stressful as there seems to be alot.

As you can see, I`ve started without adding the u/c or weapons as they would no doubt get in the way when trying to apply the more longer fiddily bits.

[Tom Sunley]

Looks great. Might i suggest though that it's best to use the panel line wash after decalling so that the panel lines pass through the decals.

[Vlad the Inhaler]

Looks great. Might i suggest though that it's best to use the panel line wash after decalling so that the panel lines pass through the decals.

Thats a good tip Tom *runs off and writes it down* and TC - just realised (from reading elsewhere)this model bears a passing resemblance to the latest Corgi release......

[tc2324]

Looks great. Might i suggest though that it's best to use the panel line wash after decalling so that the panel lines pass through the decals.

Cheers Tom. I`m actually experimenting a few things on this build with one of them doing the wash first. A few people do it this way so wanted to see it for myself.

[tc2324]

and TC - just realised (from reading elsewhere)this model bears a passing resemblance to the latest Corgi release......

Thats right mate. Just saved myself, what £70+ with this build.

I`m now about half way through the decalling and eyesore has brought my night to a close. Going to give it a break and work on the weapons fit to give my eyes a rest.

Also managed to get the old girl up on her feet now that the stripes are on.

[Vlad the Inhaler]

and TC - just realised (from reading elsewhere)this model bears a passing resemblance to the latest Corgi release......

Thats right mate. Just saved myself, what £70+ with this build.

I`m now about half way through the decalling and eyesore has brought my night to a close. Going to give it a break and work on the weapons fit to give my eyes a rest.

Also managed to get the old girl up on her feet now that the stripes are on.

And in a bigger scale too! Funnily enough i have recently purchased a Fujimi A7 Corsair in south east asian cammo as the century wings model in that scheme is too expensive. So i see exactly where your coming from.
Looking very good so far - just make sure that the paint on the uppers isn't too think and the demarcation between one shade of grey and another is clearly marked - maybe some arrows to show you where Need i go on....??

[tc2324]

Looking very good so far - just make sure that the paint on the uppers isn't too think and the demarcation between one shade of grey and another is clearly marked - maybe some arrows to show you where Need i go on....??

I think the flash from the camera hasn`t helped on that score. Hopefully the photos below will show that the line does exist....

Last set of update piccies from me now before the reveal. Had a spare hour this morning so added the IFR probe and main u/c doors.

[scotthldr]

Looking pretty sharp there, the colours look to have come out pretty much spot on, look forward to the final reveal

[tc2324]

Pics now in the gallery.

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