Lightning P1 Resurrection

[Robomog]

Hi all

This is a project that was started some time ago and has been put on the backburner so many times I  have lost the the original progress shots.

Here's the original model.....

by Robomog, on Flickr

The Heron in the background has already been restored.

So here is the brief, I want to resurrect the P1 using as much of the original as possible but I also want to make it a bit more presentable.

So objectives

1. Try and rescue the canopy

2. Cut out the forward blanking plate and move it backwards so it is less noticeable

3. Cut out the cockpit and pilot head area and add a proper cockpit/pilot

5. Add some jet pipes and and additional blanking plate at the back

4. Recreate the undercarriage and doors

And the story so far......

It has been taken apart (sort of, Mog the Younger was very generous with the glue in those days) and some of the replacement parts have been sourced from an incomplete Lightning kit.

by Robomog, on Flickr


The forward blanking plate and cockpit have been cut out and I am working on the cockpit detail, based around a Lightnig F6 seat and console

by Robomog, on Flickr

The jet pipes have been installed

by Robomog, on Flickr

The canopy has been revived somewhat but it's far from good, I will tack it place temporarily until I can source a decent part or  attempt to mold one

by Robomog, on Flickr

I have a lot of surface faults to clear up, mostly caused by myself trying to weaponise the aircraft for wargaming, but also some kit faults like those ejector marks on the wheel doors and fine raised lines where the decals should go.

by Robomog, on Flickr

This is gonna take a bit longer than I thought 

Thanks for looking.......


Mog
>^-.-^<

[Buzzbomb]

Working with old gold there. Looking forward to how it comes out at the end

[apophenia]

Me too! Great to see a classic being restored 

[Robomog]

Thanks guys, a bit more progress

by Robomog, on Flickr

The cockpit tub now fits and a forward blanking plate has been installed. This leaves a convenient pocket under the pilots seat to place the nose weight. I did toy with contouring the inside of the air intake but whimped out,  way too many curves 

by Robomog, on Flickr

I have virtually completed rubbing down all the pools of dried glue, so a bit of filling to do before the main assembly and more filler.

More when it happens...........

Mob
>^-.-^<

[Kerick]

Have you considered a soak in Simple Green or similar degreaser to remove the old paint? The old paint may not play well with the new stuff.

[Robomog]

Good point, no I havent. Thx

I've read somewhere that soaking in Dettol softens paint I will probably try that

Mind you by the time I've filled and sanded all the joints theres not going to be much left 


Mog
>^-.-^<

[kitnut617]

Have you tried finding an Aeroclub canopy for it, I've got one of their P.1 conversions in my stash, it's buried at the moment but I can't remember if you got two canopies in the kit.   ---

[Buzzbomb]

All the prep steps will pay dividends. If you are going back to a natural metal finish, as we all have discovered at some time no doubt, some blemishes tend to start a Mexican Wave to highlight their existence.

[Frank3k]

Have you tried heat smashing a new canopy? As long as the original is well supported internally, you should be able to get a good duplicate (after several tries). Clear plastic packaging is often styrene or buterate and deforms quickly from the heat of a candle or flame (I use a small alcohol burner).

[Robomog]

Thanks for the advice chaps

Kitnut:- I have tried to locate an Aeroclub canopy but they are as rare as rocking horse poo and probably very expensive.  I've seen the conversion kit on Ebay but that is also rare and extremely expensive, I'm pretty sure there is only one canopy in the kit.

Buzz:- I  know what you mean, natural aluminium shows EVERYTHING I will need to do some serious prep and priming

Frank:-  if time permits I may try that, after all I do have the original (battered) canopy as a guide 

Thanks again

Mog
>^-.-^<

[Robomog]

Hi all

Made some good progress, the body is back together and the joints filled and sanded.

Currently putting the wings back on and sorting out the joins on those.

by Robomog, on Flickr


Mind you Erik my bench buddy was less than impressed...........

by Robomog, on Flickr
"Dude, like you need more filler on those joints"

More when it happens...........

Mog
>^-.-^<

[Kerick]

That’s a big cat or a tiny model!

[Robomog]

Ha ha!  I think it's big cat in this instance, the model is 1/72 scale.

He was slightly closer to the phone camera when I took the shot  so maybe the auto focus has exaggerated things a bit

Mog
>^-.-^<

[robunos]

Ha ha!  I think it's big cat in this instance, the model is 1/72 scale.

He was slightly closer to the phone camera when I took the shot  so maybe the auto focus has exaggerated things a bit

Mog
>^-.-^<

Joe Biden Cat . . .      


cheers,
Robin.

[kitnut617]

Don't take it to Australia then, they just shoot 'big' cats ----   

[Kerick]

If you let him out in the garden do neighbors report a puma in the area?

[Robomog]

Ha ha ha !

Havent seen anything on the news yet, I wonder what happened to Kitten Kong ?

Mog
>^-.-^<

[Robomog]

Hi All

Just a small update.

I've finished the filling and sanding (well maybe) and given it a good polish with toothpaste to get rid of all the fine scratches and then given it a coat of white primer to expose any further flaws.

by Robomog, on Flickr

On the whole it came out very well ,  except the bits where I hadn't cleaned all the tooth paste off enough 

Next will be a coat of black prior to spraying silver and the canopy has to be sorted, but this one is going on to the backburner for a bit so I can concentrate on a group build

Thanks for looking ............


Mog
>^-.-^<

[apophenia]

Looking great so far    Erik-the-Bench-Buddy can keep an eye on this build until you're back from the GB 

[Robomog]

Hi all,

Well I didn't really plan to put this on the back-burner for two years     but hey-ho    I'M BACK!

The P1 has gone through the spray booth and now has a fine chrome silver finish.



Searching for a replacement canopy came to naught and trying to smash mould a new canopy was unsuccessful, i toyed with the idea of painting the inside Brian da Basher style but in the end settled with using the existing canopy sanded and buffed to make it half decent. If a new canopy is found at a later date I will replace it.

Despite all my best efforts the canopy fit is poor and I am currently filling in the gap with Clearfix prior to touching up the paintwork.

More when it happens

Mog
>^-.-^<

[Jeffry Fontaine]

Hopefully the wait for your replacement canopy/windscreen parts is short and you can have the satisfaction of seeing this project through to final completion when that day finally comes.   

[KiwiZac]

Lovely work Mog, what a change from the starting point! Bravo!

[Buzzbomb]

Really good to see this back on the bench

[Robomog]

Hi all.

Thanks for the comments chaps.

The canopy is now on and I have done my best shot at making the joint acceptable, you can see the state of the canopy but from a distance hung on the Wall of Joy  it won't notice too much.



I have remanufactured the front wheel doors and should be assembling the undercarriage shortly.

Thanks for looking ........

Mog
>^-.-^<

[Robomog]

Hi all

FINISHED!

After over two years since starting. This is the most protracted build I have ever had.

The finished model is not perfect, but 100% better than what it was

Here's the pics .......






















As always all comments and criticisms gratefully accepted.

Thanks for looking

Mog
>^-.-^<