Airfix 1/48 English Electric Lightning F2.A
Hello!
This is my recent project, this iconic cold war beast. It's been one of my favorites jets since I've laid my eyes on a big poster, a long time ago, at the Air Force Academy.
But this jet is more special for me because of something else. In 2015, I found this remarkable book, about the Cold War and these fighters , called “Never in Anger” by Anthony “Bugs” Bendell, a former RAF fighter pilot.
I can not emphasize enough how good it is, as a precise combination of technical aspects of military flying and a fighter jock's life in the RAF, in those days. It was a great reading and I was truly impressed with the author, not only about his career, but most of all, because the way he dealt with an impairing disease, which started to affect him when he was still in active duty.
In the book, he describes his battle to continue to work, even not being able to regain flying status and yet maintaining the enthusiasm of a young fighter jock, which is something special, and that's why I was so impressed.
Sadly, he passed a few months later. But, before that, I had the privilege to exchange some e-mails with him, a very special thing, I have to say. A that time, he was already unable to write at all, so he dictated the message to his daughter and she kindly sent me the email. His enthusiasm and love for the Lightning was still there in his words……
So, even not having the chance to meet this gentleman, the whole thing made the Lightning a special kit for me.
And so I went looking for a good one, in 1/48. Unfortunately, even the best there is, this 1997 Airfix tool, is not what such a jet fighter deserves.
The fitting is just ok, with some alignment issues . And you have a lot of errors with sprue parts not matching instructions and/or not so precise locations to glue some parts. Landing gear bays could have a lot more details, just like the cockpit. I've used Eduard PE to improve this areas and metal pitot tube. The canopy, by the way, can only be glued in the closed position, or you can improvise as I did.
Anyway, here it is. I hope you'll enjoy. And I'll keep dreaming with a Tamiya kit for this great jet fighter. It would be a blast!
Cheers!
George
King Cobra! Sharp work, George. I like your NMF. What did you use?
Thank you!
Sorry for the delayed answer. I’ve used polyester type automotive paints. They’re locally manufactured. Colors name like high Speed aluminium and fine aluminium, mixed with white and/or black for contrast in some areas.
A beautiful model of this fabulous Cold War jet, George, the NMF is especially good.
Thank you!
You certainly made the most out of what's in the box. The result looks superb.
Thank you!
A fantastic Lightning, George! An amazing article, as well!
Thank you!
Excellent looking Lightning, George @george72
An amazing aircraft, especially when you see it equiped with fuel tanks on top of the wings.
Thank you! As for the top tanks, I don't know...way too strange for me! 🙂
Wow, super nice looking Lightning! Th overall finish is fantastic, a real eye catcher!
Thank you!
Wonderful rendition of this iconic bird. Bravo!
Thank you!
Wow @george72 you really put on a clinic with this one for NMF and overall paintwork! Amazing result!
Thank you!
A very, VERY good job on the kit. Your detail is amazing. Of special note is the "dirt smudges" streaming aft of the main landing gear bays. Subtle, but accurate and usually overlooked.
Thank you!
That is a beautiful Lightning! One of the iconic cold war warriors - you did her justice!
Thank you!
Fantastic build and tribute! The Lightning is a really special aircraft. I have fond memories of seeing them fly in South Africa with Thunder City.
Thank you!
A beautiful build always liked the Lightning. It looks like Mr. Bindell on a F-105 flight line.
Thank you! That’s right, he flew the 105 as an exchange pilot with the USAF.
Hello George, fantastic finish.Thumbs Up.
Thank you!
Very impressive, really good job on this one!
Thank you!
Great build of one of my favourite kits (and aircraft). One of the very best from 'old' Airfix. I used AK Xtreme Metals on mine a few years ago, gave a superb finish.
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
Thank you!