Sword Model Kits

[reaper493]

Been looking at some sword kits, mainly the 1/48 Lightning T4 and Meteor NF11.

Anyone have any experience of them?

Are they any good?

Mike

[iainpeden]

If you look at Tamiya as the gold standard and expect the same you'd be disappointed. They tend to be simpler than Airfix and maybe take a little more modelling skills. However, they are well detailed and go together well. Think Airfix in the 1970s/1980s.

The decals are adequate and go on well and are accurate (as long as you realise they tend to label them where the relevant photo of research was taken - for example one of the Lightnings is shown as being MIldenhall based as the picture was taken at an air show).

They usually include some PE.

As they tend to make subjects others don't I would say try one of the 1/72 ones first and see what you think - the AEW Gannet is a good one as is the Lightning T.4

[seven]

Got about 40 or so of the 1/72's in my stash. And built a dozen or so more. They are short run kits, so not going to fall together like (some) Tamiya/Hasegawa do, however they are usually pretty accurate, and with some care can be made to look like a representation of the real thing. They require dry fitting all parts before commiting to glue, as it can lead to major parts not fitting later in the build.

HTH

7

[JONLITE06]

Made the Lightning T5 kit....dreadful!

[reaper493]

Oh dear, any photos of the finished results?

[mickfgr2]

I also made the t5 but the only problem I found was the wings are taken from a single seathing lightning and the wing Wroot needs to be modified for the two seater versions.
There are some photos in the modelling gallery on here of the finished model.

viewtopic.php?t=151440

[Doughnut]

Biggest issues I have with Sword kits, and most other short run kits, is the lack of location pins and butt joints. Dont know how many time the tailplanes came off my Lightning T4. These kits need more care than the basic Airfix to get things lined up, wings and tail square etc. The soft plastic is easily damaged, engraved detail lost and undercarriage probably not strong enough.

[iainpeden]

This will give you further info.

https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/ind ... 10-in-172/

[twinstar]

I have made the Lightning T4, Harrier T4 and Seafire III kits, well detailed and accurate but definitely not for the inexperienced modeller. With work the build into fantastic kits.

[binbrook32]

Mike,
I have built both the 1/48 scale Lightning T4 and T5 kits, yes they have issues but in my opinion they do build into nice looking models, and importantly, they look right. Far easier to build than grafting a resin nose onto an Airfix 'F.1/2/3 kit. No PE parts on these either!
I have also built their 1/72 scale Lightning T.5, and two Harrier two-seaters, all look good.
Worth a try.