1/48th Scale Airfix BAe F.6 Lightning Back on Display
Nov 18, 2019 22:40:58 GMT
Paul B, Snipersmudge, and 1 more like this
Post by Ian H. on Nov 18, 2019 22:40:58 GMT
So I was rearranging my model shelves to accommodate the 1/144th B-52 and decided to pull this one off to go to the workbench for a little mid-life update. This is the Airfix 1/48th Scale F.6 Lightning which I built in the early 2000's and it was a really nice kit to build. I used Aeromaster Decals to depict the show-jet from RAF 5 Squadron. I really love how the Lightning looks and I think it is just the epitome of how Cold War interceptors needed to look. My build at the time was fair, structurally and finish-wise, but I decided to add some things, fix some things and finish it off with a new clear coat to freshen her up a bit. I am doing the following mods to the model:
1) The landing gear had started to splay out with age (almost 20 years old?) so I separated the mains, straightened them out, and then reinstalled them. I also flattened out the main tires so the struts won't wobble as much
2) I initially had installed the over-wing drop tanks because I thought they looked cool at the time. However, I discovered later that Lightnings did not carry them alot so I have now removed them. I sanded the area of the pylon joints to the wing and repainted those spots with LifeColor Barley Grey which was about a perfect match for the original Humbrol Barley Grey.
3) I added Burnt Umber Oil/Mineral Spirit Washes to all the grills, vents and holes since I did not do any of that for the original build. I also added fluid leaks to the undersides and control surface hinges.
4) I removed the natural metal intake ring and repainted it with Vallejo Natural Metal since the original paint had dulled. I also removed the over-under burner cans and repainted them with Metalizer Burnt Iron with a post shade of Acryl Jet Exhaust.
5) I had painted the Red Top missiles incorrectly as they should have green fins, instead of Barley Grey. I went back and painted those with Vallejo FS 34159 Green. I also will repaint the seeker heads with Tamiya Smoke tinted with a drop of blue.
6) A couple of the demarcation lines were off so I straightened those up with some masking and paintwork
The photos are from when I first broke it down so most of the mods haven't been photographed yet. I am about ready to piece her back together and make her look like an F.6 again so I will take some pics of all the new stuff. Little projects like this are fun since you can tune up a model that is already built and painted but just needs a re-work with some more recent techniques.
Regards,
Ian
1) The landing gear had started to splay out with age (almost 20 years old?) so I separated the mains, straightened them out, and then reinstalled them. I also flattened out the main tires so the struts won't wobble as much
2) I initially had installed the over-wing drop tanks because I thought they looked cool at the time. However, I discovered later that Lightnings did not carry them alot so I have now removed them. I sanded the area of the pylon joints to the wing and repainted those spots with LifeColor Barley Grey which was about a perfect match for the original Humbrol Barley Grey.
3) I added Burnt Umber Oil/Mineral Spirit Washes to all the grills, vents and holes since I did not do any of that for the original build. I also added fluid leaks to the undersides and control surface hinges.
4) I removed the natural metal intake ring and repainted it with Vallejo Natural Metal since the original paint had dulled. I also removed the over-under burner cans and repainted them with Metalizer Burnt Iron with a post shade of Acryl Jet Exhaust.
5) I had painted the Red Top missiles incorrectly as they should have green fins, instead of Barley Grey. I went back and painted those with Vallejo FS 34159 Green. I also will repaint the seeker heads with Tamiya Smoke tinted with a drop of blue.
6) A couple of the demarcation lines were off so I straightened those up with some masking and paintwork
The photos are from when I first broke it down so most of the mods haven't been photographed yet. I am about ready to piece her back together and make her look like an F.6 again so I will take some pics of all the new stuff. Little projects like this are fun since you can tune up a model that is already built and painted but just needs a re-work with some more recent techniques.
Regards,
Ian
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.............that is beeeyyyoooottiiffulll!! 
