This all began when a good friend sent me a venerable Airfix/MPC English Electric Lightning (thanks a million, hamsterman!). You've got to admit, that's some mighty fine box art.
Airfix rarely disappoints here and what's inside the box will only disappoint those unfamiliar with early Airfix kits.
Sure it's pretty basic, but Airfix usually gets the general shape right as well as most of the other significant features. My kit was so well engineered that on the fuselage & burner can, I didn't need glue.
As you might remember, I needed a new intake and shock cone to replace the kit parts that were terribly mis-applied on
another model.A left-over cowl ring from a Fiat CR-42 came to the rescue as did the tip of a 1/144 U-2 pod.
I was pleased how much this resembled the sleeker nose profile of the E.E. Lightning prototype, even if this isn't the most flattering angle.
I also had to replace the kit canopy which went missing. I'm having a terrible track-record with those things lately. Luckily, a Drakken sent by my friend had a spare canopy which didn't fit too badly.
The wings and horiz. stabs. were swiped from F-100s and I feel lucky I ended up with two sets of wings so I could biplane this sucker.
The model was painted by hand in acrylics using the old hairy stick. Polly Scale Aged White was used to mimic a W.W. I clear doped linen shade.
A custom mix approximating that famous RAF PC-10 olive/khaki was used on the uppers. The canopy was tinted on the inside with Model Masters Insignia Blue. Model Masters Aluminum was used on the intake and their Jet Exhaust took care of the burner cans.
Decals were all from spares. The fin flashes were deliberately placed that way as most British/French aircraft of the time painted them in this order, although as with PC-10, variations abound.
It took me four days to build this even though I had it all planned out for a while now.
I'd like to thank Bill for his kindness in sending the kits that made this all possible. I couldn't have done it without you!
I was hoping to get this done in time for the Armistice Centenary but things got in the way. Still, it caused me to reflect on the history as I was building it and specifically the day that terrible conflict concluded 100 years ago.
Brian da Basher