My Lightning

[DavidJC]

I've had some trials and tribulations over the Airfix 1/48 Lightning, mostly of my making, to the point where I got fed up with building it. I made tiny errors which compounded, although I have to say, some of the instructions to build could have been far more comprehensive and much clearer: the undercarriage construction and location I feel very vague and it seems as if the designer didn't really know himself so just drew the pictures and put some arrows on it pointing at the wheel wells since that's where undercarriage legs and struts go.

 

Then I had problems with the large upper wing decals which, though my fault due to some clumsiness, I couldn't help feeling could have been better executed by the decals themselves - how I don't know I will admit, but the multi-part fitting together of walkway lines just didn't work for me. Would they have worked better as one large shape? I don't know. But they just dindn't work for me.

 

It was also my first ever time at using 'metaliser' colours. I used AK Interactive Aluminium for the fuselage and Alclad Chrome for the nose ring which again I wonder would that have been better moulded as part of the fuselage? Again I don't know.

 

Anyway here it is. I know it doesn't look anywhere near as good as some of the more eperienced modellers can get from kits, and I wanted to weather it lightly especially in regard of panel lining, but frankly I got fed up with making it.

 

On to the next project which I got for Christmas from someone, the 1/48 Red Arrows gift set./media/tinymce_upload/7373e0a04b0691bb225580943c1b635f.JPG

[Bamalam]

Looks fine to me.

Don't be too hard on yourself  😀

[Rael]

Splendid!

[the F-111C dude]

looks great! 😎 😀

[Discostu]

I'd be pretty chuffed with that result. The metalizer paint has left a nice realistic aluminum finish on the fuselage. Good job!  Cheers, Stuart. 

[DavidJC]

Thank you all for your kind comments  😀

 

I think part of my problem is that when I do something I have to do it perfectly and if it doesn't turn out how it was in my mind's eye, I have failed. Overall the kit wasn't a bad build, it was more me than anything (aside from the undercarriage assembly) and I'd happily do another.

 

Indeed there are other versions I think, as well as after-market decals, so you know what? I think I will buy another and give it another bash, learning from my mistakes, giving it the same metaliser finish. I practiced over again on some old useless wings and parts, experimenting with AK and Alclad metaliser paints. The resultant finish I was actually quite happy with. I found it's absolutely key to apply metaliser paints over a perfectly smooth glossy black surface, which I applied from a Tamiya aerosol, then airbrushed on the metaliser at a low pressure.

[Matthew72]

Awesome work, David!  In an age of greys and drab colored aircraft it's always pleasing to see Lightnings with bright squadron markings.  Although the uniquely camouflaged grey Lightnings late in their service are pretty cool, too!

[james goshawk]

I think sometimes us modelers who are newer and a little less experinced put are self's down about the qauilty of our work because it Dosent look to the professional standards of say a modler with 35+ years experince but I feel we do a good job like your lightning and they look awsome plus the important thing is just to enjoy ourselfs 

[John Symmons]

Nice one Dave. Even though you might not have enjoyed as you'd hoped the result is a credit to your skills and persiverance. Good luck with the Hawk and Gnat look forward to seeing the outcome.

Remember we do this for fun.   John the Pom

[John Symmons]

Nice one Dave. Even though you might not have enjoyed as you'd hoped the result is a credit to your skills and persiverance. Good luck with the Hawk and Gnat look forward to seeing the outcome.

Remember we do this for fun.   John the Pom

[Ratch]

 Its always good to see the Frightning

[DavidJC]

Thank you all again for your kind comments. I am suitably prompted to get another and try again - thank you  😀