The SAAF Forum

Here's the Trumpeter 32nd scale Lightning build in progress - it's a really simple kit which basically can be flung together without too much hassle. However, I decided to go the whole hog and bought the Aires resin cockpit set, undercarriage bay set and exhaust nozzles.

Here I've opened up all the holes / intakes in the fuselage sides and then backed these with plastic card. Provides a bit more depth :





In the top photo, you can see the only real problem area - there's a gap between the front of the intake duct and the intake ring - very frustrating thus the added section of plastic card ducting.

Wing with the Aires undercarriage bay inserted - nice clean fit and way better detail than kit part, especially the dimpled area :

Aires resin cockpit tub - very neat affair which fits beautifully in place on top of intake ducting :

Cockpit nestled between fuselage halves :

Aires exhaust nozzles - detail is just beautiful :





Interesting - when fitting this to the fuselage, I thought that Aires had screwed up as there was a gap between the Aires part and the Trumpeter fuselage - however, closer investigation of Lightning rear ends shows a gap which seems to be rather variable. I've seen pics of Lightnings with no gap at all. I assume that Aires got it right and my model will have the gap.

Awesome, cant wait to see more. What scheme do you have in mind?

Trivia

Squadron Leader John Frederick George Howe who was a South African serving in the RAF, and an ex-SAAF 2 Sqn member who saw service in the Korean Conflict.

In 1962 he was the OC of 74 (RAF) Sqn "The Tigers" when they were the official Aerobtaic Team for the RAF and the first A.T to fly a Mach 2 Fighter as such the Lighting.

looks beutifull so far
keep posting pic's

Hi Bladerunner - thanks

Thinking of late low vis grey as used just before retirement - these were usually very weathered. Spent a good part of today filling in all sorts of holes / seams.

Fuselage together and wings on - it's a beast !

Looking good Mistral

Can you include something in one of your next photos to give an indication of this beast's size

_________________
Brent Best

Nice choice!
I've seen your weathering skills on other models, and this should look great as well. The fit of the kit looks fairly good. The Lightning's looks is one of those aircraft best described in Afrikaans: "Mooi van lelikheid"

It is quite a beast, but not as big as it is "bulky". It dwarfs most single-engined fighters for sure.

Cheers
John

Very Cool, Im planning on building a 1/7 th scale In the new year some time so this will be great to see happening.

Oscar

1/7th !!! That will be one large model - will it be flyable (radio controlled ). Look forward to seeing the build in progress.

Thanks John. I agree, bulky, especially when viewed from the side. Here are two pics for comparison with an F100 and MiG21. Considering the Lightning had two engines, not surprising it climbed like a homesick angel !! Note how much more slender the Mig-21 is.