BAC lightning model recommendations please

[pattyg]

I haven't made up model planes for 30 years but really want a Lightning model.

Please can someone provide a recommendation for an appropriate kit. Ideally I want a medium price range kit with striking decals.

I always used to buy Airfix models but I'm not sure if there is anything better out there.

Thanks.

Edited by pattyg on Saturday 22 February 18:54

[dr_gn]

pattyg said:

I haven't made up model planes for 30 years but really want a Lightning model.

Please can someone provide a recommendation for an appropriate kit. Ideally I want a medium price range kit with striking decals.

I always used to buy Airfix models but I'm not sure if there is anything better out there.

Thanks.

Edited by pattyg on Saturday 22 February 18:54

This might help:

http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/lightning/...

Airfix have just released a new tool 1:72 Lightning, but as with most of their new releases, the panel lines are not really up to modern standards, and the example I saw had a strange rough finish to the surface of the plastic which would make a good "bare metal" silver finish tricky to achieve. Having said that it's fairly cheap (about £10), so might be a good option to get back into modelling.

[pattyg]

Thanks, might go for the Airfix 1:48. However, when adding the paints to the cost of the kit it comes to just under £100...ouch.

[dr_gn]

Yeah, it gets expensive with materials. People tend to forget that a 'cheap' base kit requires the same amount of materials throwing at it as a more expensive base kit. In fact the kit cost can become pretty insignificant, which is why I always recommend paying a bit more for a quality product if possible.

Having said that, I think the Airfix 1:48 Lightnings are supposed to be among the best out there; I've never built one though. A Czech model company called Eduard (who specialise in photo-etch detail parts for models) released a full kit based upon the Airfix 1:48 version, and that includes a lot of their upgrade parts. Maybe not for a beginner, but another option to consider if 1:48 is what you want:



If I were you I'd go for the new Airfix 1:72 and see how you go.

[Dr Jekyll]

What's the best way to paint the natural metal finish? I used to avoid modelling certain aircraft because this was so difficult to get right.

[BULLITT Rich]

Have a look here

http://kitmaniac.com/forum/index.php?/topic/233-ai...hllightning

A model building forum I joined last year, the builds on there are amazing!

[dr_gn]

Dr Jekyll said:

What's the best way to paint the natural metal finish? I used to avoid modelling certain aircraft because this was so difficult to get right.

There is a range of silver lacquers called "Alclad". I used them on my 1:72 Thunderjet:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=120...

I described the process I used in that thread. It's fairly straightforward, but time consuming. The result depends upon having a smooth base surface, which is why I commented on the rough finish of the new tool Airfix version I saw; I think it would make a realistic bare metal effect quite tricky to achieve.

There is also a product called "Bare Metal Foil" which is a self-adhesive aluminium foil which you can apply to the model in patches. I've only used it for representing heat shields on a Jaguar XJR9-LM. Tricky to use, but it worked well enough in that application.

Silver paint applied straigh to the model without any technique tends to look rubbish whether it's supposed to represent bare metal or a painted finish.

[IanMorewood]

Airfix have 3 x 72nd scale Lightening kits to choose from, I'm half tempted to pick up a pair of F6's for the kids following last year's trip to Bruntingthorpe but I have a few kits to do first.

[tdm34]

dr_gn said:

Airfix have just released a new tool 1:72 Lightning, but as with most of their new releases, the panel lines are not really up to modern standards

Once again you just Couldn't help yourself, your Chronic Anti Airfix bias surfaces again...

And this review totally contradicts your statement

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topi...

And here's a sprue picture, that shows its moulding quality...

Edited by tdm34 on Saturday 22 February 22:04

Edited by tdm34 on Saturday 22 February 22:09

[Eric Mc]

The new Airfix 1/72 Lightning F2As are real gems and are by a wide margin the BEST 1/72 Lightning models produced by any manufacturer bar none.

Of course, you COULD pay twice the price and buy the Trumpeter Lightnings that appeared a couple of years ago but you will have to pay almost as much again to fix most (but not all) of the chronic errors they made.

Other 1/72 Lightning kits exist but are all over 40 years old so best left alone unless one wants a challenge.

These are -

Airfix Lightning F1A (very rare now as the mould was "upgraded" to represent the F3)
Airfix F3 (as mentioned above, modified F1A mould)
Hasegawa Lightning F6. (OK but old technology).
Matchbox F6. Some shape issues but buildable
Matchbox T55 (as for their F6)
Revell F6 (from the Hasegawa mould so an old kit in a modern box)

If doing a 1/72 kit, the new Airfix kit is the best out there now.

[dr_gn]

tdm34 said:

dr_gn said:

Airfix have just released a new tool 1:72 Lightning, but as with most of their new releases, the panel lines are not really up to modern standards

Once again you just Couldn't help yourself, your Chronic Anti Airfix bias surfaces again...

Really?

dr_gn said:

If I were you I'd go for the new Airfix 1:72 and see how you go.

tdm34 said:

And this review totally contradicts your statement

Well, this one doesn't:

http://www.hyperscale.com/2014/reviews/kits/airfix...

"The first thing I check with each new Airfix release is the panel lines. Either I am becoming accustomed to what Airfix is offering, or they are genuinely improving, as they are quite acceptable on this issue. In fact, most of the fuselage lines are very good, although for some reason they are heavier on the tail fin. Slightly finer rendition may be offered by the likes of Hasegawa, Tamiya or various Czech Brands, but I can see most people being more than happy with this effort by Airfix."

So exactly what I said - not really up to modern standards.

People are free to peruse my build threads here on PH or BM or wherever and decide for themselves if my opinions are worth anything:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

BTW where was your last build thread?

[tdm34]

dr_gn said:

tdm34 said:

dr_gn said:

Airfix have just released a new tool 1:72 Lightning, but as with most of their new releases, the panel lines are not really up to modern standards

Once again you just Couldn't help yourself, your Chronic Anti Airfix bias surfaces again...

Really?

dr_gn said:

If I were you I'd go for the new Airfix 1:72 and see how you go.

tdm34 said:

And this review totally contradicts your statement

Well, this one doesn't:

http://www.hyperscale.com/2014/reviews/kits/airfix...

"The first thing I check with each new Airfix release is the panel lines. Either I am becoming accustomed to what Airfix is offering, or they are genuinely improving, as they are quite acceptable on this issue. In fact, most of the fuselage lines are very good, although for some reason they are heavier on the tail fin. Slightly finer rendition may be offered by the likes of Hasegawa, Tamiya or various Czech Brands, but I can see most people being more than happy with this effort by Airfix."

So exactly what I said - not really up to modern standards.

People are free to peruse my build threads here on PH or BM or wherever and decide for themselves if my opinions are worth anything:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

BTW where was your last build thread?

More important things in my life at the moment, like visits to a Manchester Hospital every three weeks with my wife, and your Airfix Bias is well documented, the Lightning experts in this country have said that it's a very accurate kit, with few issues I say it's a triumph for only £10 or so.

Oh! and I don't see the need to tell the world that i'm the worlds greatest modeller every five minutes like you seem to, so push off!!

[dr_gn]

tdm34 said:

...the Lightning experts in this country have said that it's a very accurate kit, with few issues I say it's a triumph for only £10 or so.

Which is exactly why

dr_gn said:

If I were you I'd go for the new Airfix 1:72 and see how you go.

Bizarre.

tdm34 said:

Oh! and I don't see the need to tell the world that i'm the worlds greatest modeller every five minutes like you seem to, so push off!!

That's quite a bitter thing to write, especially considering we a discussing something as irrelevant as plastic model kits.

In my experience, examples of the standards people work to are invaluable in forming an opinion of how valid their opinions are. If you don't like the fact I have high standards, I'm afraid that's entirely your problem...

[tdm34]

Bitter? No Angry! You have the habit of selectively editing other peoples posts for your own ends, truly bizzare behavior in my opinion.

Look at the sprue photo I provided, there is no evidence of the finish you describe I've seen this kit and the surface finish is
Excellent, the Britmodeller review makes no mention of this phenomena at all, even the hyper scale review only mentions slightly heavy panel lines on the fin.

My issue is you seemed to praise this lovely little kit and the you knocked it with something that isn't there!

The comment about "my builds" was below the belt, in my post I intimated the reason why at the moment modelling
Is taking a back seat.

I've built hundreds of models in the 45 years of enjoying this hobby, some good, some bad, some bloody awful!
From all manufacturers.

Over the years some of my builds garnered awards and much praise from modellers better than I'll ever be, and that's good enough for me.

Enjoy your modelling Sir!

Oh! To the OP I'm really sorry about ruining your thread, I shouldn't have reacted in the way I did, it is indefensible

BTW buy the new Airfix Lightning as it's a gem of a kit.

Edited by tdm34 on Sunday 23 February 02:18

[Eric Mc]

Whole heartedly agree. The new Airfix Lightning is a lovely kit.

On NO account buy the Trumpeter one as it is a disaster of a model. It has lovely panel lines by the way - but that's all.

If you want to delve into plastic nostalgia, the (now obsolete) Airfix F3 is still buildable but very crude by modern standards.

It's a real shame that they altered the mould to change it from an F1A to an F3. I love the round finned Lightnings and I have at least one F1A kit in the stash for when I want to do one of the very early versions.
Airfix may release a new F1 or F1A kit based on the new moulds in the future.

[dr_gn]

tdm34 said:

Bitter? No Angry! You have the habit of selectively editing other peoples posts for your own ends, truly bizzare behavior in my opinion.

Rubbish.

Show me where I've quoted you (or anyone) out of context.

tdm34 said:

Look at the sprue photo I provided, there is no evidence of the finish you describe I've seen this kit and the surface finish is Excellent, the Britmodeller review makes no mention of this phenomena at all, even the hyper scale review only mentions slightly heavy panel lines on the fin.

I prefer to base my opinions on REAL WORLD evidence rather than second hand information and photographs. As I said, the surface finish of the parts I SAW was finely textured, and, as I pointed out previously, this IN MY EXPERIENCE would make a bare metal finish more difficult to achive to a high standard, should the OP wish to finish his model in this way. If the parts I saw were early versions or prototypes I don't know. Airfix have been known to modify moulds early in production to correct errors (Bf109E-4 for example IIRC). If this is the case, good on them.

tdm34 said:

My issue is you seemed to praise this lovely little kit and the you knocked it with something that isn't there!

Rubbish.

I recommended the Airfix kit to the OP in TWO of my posts. I make no apology for highlighting potential issues whether they turn out to be relevant to the OP or not.

tdm34 said:

The comment about "my builds" was below the belt, in my post I intimated the reason why at the moment modelling Is taking a back seat.

Rubbish.

You posted about this AFTER I suggested you post examples of your own work. How on Earth can that be "below the belt"?

tdm34 said:

I've built hundreds of models in the 45 years of enjoying this hobby, some good, some bad, some bloody awful! From all manufacturers. Over the years some of my builds garnered awards and much praise from modellers better than I'll ever be, and that's good enough for me.

Then spend 5 minutes taking a few photographs and post them. I've never seen a SINGLE example of your work posted here, yet you're happy to slag me off for posting my own work.

tdm34 said:

Enjoy your modelling Sir!

I think it's pretty clear that I do.

tdm34 said:

Oh! To the OP I'm really sorry about ruining your thread, I shouldn't have reacted in the way I did, it is indefensible

Amen to that.

I too apologise to the OP for the derail. Just to keep the thread slightly on topic, you may be interested in the Airfix "Build and Convert Classic British Jets" magazine/book by SAM publications. There is an article on buildnig the Airfix 1:48 Lightning F2A/F6 including some aftermarket detal stuff. There's also some info on the Eduard/Airfix 1:48 Lightning too. The book might still be available from WH Smith if you're interested.

tdm34 said:

BTW buy the new Airfix Lightning as it's a gem of a kit.

As I've already recommended twice on this thread.

tdm34 said:

Edited by tdm34 on Sunday 23 February 02:18

You're posting incoherent guff, edited multiple times, in the early hours of the morning. Take a chill pill, get some sleep and get off my case.

[SlipStream77]

tdm34 said:

Oh! and I don't see the need to tell the world that i'm the worlds greatest modeller every five minutes like you seem to, so push off!!

Dr_gn's never come across like that to me, I've learned a lot from his build threads and those of others.

[nick heppinstall]

SlipStream77 said:

Dr_gn's never come across like that to me, I've learned a lot from his build threads and those of others.

Seconded .... Please keep on topic all. Lets not have the thread degenerate .....

[perdu]

nick heppinstall said:

SlipStream77 said:

Dr_gn's never come across like that to me, I've learned a lot from his build threads and those of others.

Seconded .... Please keep on topic all. Lets not have the thread degenerate .....

thirded!

And from the build in the latest Airfix Modelworld mag I would reckon the new Airfix one is the one to tackle

If there WAS a perfect kit I would probably give it a miss, a'cos I like a bit of a challenge but that one looks the business.

It's on my list.

[72twink]

The only kit to really avoid is the Trumpeter one which despite being a new age newtool was a bit of a dissapointment.