tc`s 74 Sqn `upgrade to 1/48` Project

[tc2324]

Cheers Steve, cheers Patrick.

Ok......., so I`ve changed my mind yet again about the roundels and I`m now after the roundels for the wrap around camo version from the late 70`s early 80`s.

Happy to buy or can trade for 1/48 54 Sqn decals pictured below



In other news, the Tiger Jag...... or Jag Tiger, (this one sounds more like a German WWII tank...???!), is coming on leaps and bounds.

[paddyboy]

Nice feline, TC

Cheers

Patrick

[tc2324]

Cheers mate.

So I`ve finally settled on what 74 Sqn markings I`m going to use.



My reasoning?

Now lets say for arguments sake that 74 Sqn, a well known fighter unit, were indeed if the rumours were true, re-equipped with the newly acquired Sepecat Jaguar in the early/mid 70`s in the ground attack role.

I`d imagine it`s reasonable to assume that the bright yellow/black dicing might have been ditched for something a little less obvious like the RWR being painted rather than the fuselage. The tigers head may also have been reduced.

I think this is a realistic rendition of what might of been.

[Vulcanone]

tc2324

I like what see already.

Tim S

[paddyboy]

As a Colt' boy, I'd have settled for that

Best regards

Patrick

[tc2324]

Cheers chaps.

So with the roundels and fin flashes applied, I`ve only got to add a few antenna and then do the finished pictures......

[tc2324]

Now if I showed you the following picture.....,



..... I think it`s safe to say you don`t really need to be a rocket scientist to work out which example I`ll be doing.

Now as it turns out, XR761 was actually an old 74 Sqn machine when the unit was at Tengah.

At the time this picture was taken to celebrate 25 years of Lightnings at Binbrook she was on 11 Sqn`s books but it seems quite apt that she was given her old Tiger`s head back.

Sadly she crashed in the North Sea in 1984, Thankfully the pilot ejected safely and was recovered after only 25 minutes in the sea.

And now for the obligatory shot of the box......

[paddyboy]

Hi TC

My favourite 'frame in a stunning scheme

Doesn't get any better

Do her proud, buddy

Best regards

Patrick

[tc2324]

Life getting in the way of my plastic fiddling means that production on the Lightning has been slow with 5 minutes here and there spent on it.

But one of the things I really love about Airfix`s design is the fact that like the actual aircraft themselves, you can build sections independently and bring them altogether for the final assembly at a later date.

[tc2324]

This is, IIRC, my 6th 1/48 scale Airfix Lightning build in the last 2-3 years and as mentioned prior, I really do find this particular kit a joy to build.

This kit is the first one I`ve come across that has a few issues with it, the main one being that the two fuselage half's were a bit warped and out of shape. Nothing major but took a good day or so for the glue to cure properly in the correct fit.

A bit of sanding down later and I`m now at this point in the build.....



Hopefully the rest of the build will be fine.

[paddyboy]

Cheers

Patrick

[tc2324]

Managed to get a few hours of work in on the Lightning today......



..... and it`s the first time I`ve tried this kind of pre painting/spraying of major sections before prior to assembly.

Should be an interesting couple of days.

[paddyboy]

Hi Buddy

Looks as if the pre-prep system is working well to me

Best regards

Patrick

[tc2324]

Cheers guys.

- what is your ideal way of weathering and showing a bit of a 3d perspective on your planes, that take them from looking like a painted plastic model - to a replica of the real aircraft, do you use a dry brushing technique using a liberal amount of paint on a brush that has been nearly wiped clean, or do you use a cloth to wipe a very diluted ink across the surface, this stage has always been problematic for me at 1/72 scale and with brush painting as i never learned the art of spray painting.

I use Flory`s dark wash and a Tamiya weathering kit to get the effect I want. There are plenty of video`s on YouTube you can view on this subject. I`m pretty close to starting the weathering on this Lightning so I take a few photo`s as a `how to` guide if you like? (Well...., perhaps it should be called `How I` rather than `How to`...)

Talking of which.....,

....... getting the decals on has started and it`s all looking a bit more interesting now.

[paddyboy]

Coming along nicely, TC

Cheers

Patrick

[tc2324]

Cheers Patrick.

Thank you for the reply and explaining a bit about your weathering, would you ever use pencils for panel lines etc.?

C

Cornish, I`ve heard and seen modelers use pencils for panel lines but I`ve never used them so couldn`t comment I`m afraid.

The following is my way of completing the wash and weathering. Everyone has a different technique in this area but this is the way I do it.

..... so first up after all the decals have fully dried, is to give the model a good coat or two of matt varnish to seal in said decals.

Now it`s time for the wash. I use Flory`s but there are other brands out there.



.... one good coat later left it looking like this .....



I leave it to dry for a good hour rather than the 15 minutes or so suggested as I find the results are much better. I use a damp kitchen towel to remove the excess. The great thing about this is that if you don`t like the wash you can always remove it all with a wet cloth and start again. I should however remind you to remember that if you haven`t fully sealed the decals in with the varnish coat, if the rub too hard, the wash and decals may come off. Only done it once and it is a nightmare so be careful.



I then use my Tamiya weathering kit to complete the look on some of the dirtier parts of the model.





Job done and I hope that helped.

[tc2324]

So with the kiddies suffering from a bout of cabin fever due to the bad weather, cracking on with the Lightning was not top of the priorities today.

However I did fit the stakes/stabilisers and arrester hook and I also modified, painted and fitted the Red Top drill rounds along with the IFR probe.





One thing that has annoyed me is the slight silvering of the serial.

[paddyboy]

Nice update, TC

Always did think that IFR probe and overwing ferry tanks looked a real lash-up in the flesh

Cheers

Patrick

[tc2324]

Cheers Patrick.

Last WIP shots from me prior completion. Just the canopy and a few bits to add now.

[paddyboy]

Hi Buddy

You must have put a fair bit of weight in that nose

She looks g-r-e-a-t

Cheers

Patrick