Lightning with a difference

Devilfish · January 04, 2016, 01:17:18 AM

I have put this here, rather than in the what-if section, as it is more a what will be (probably)

Kittyhawk 1/48 Lockheed F-35B Lightning II

809 Sqn FAA Lightning FRS.1. aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth

The wash didn't go to plan, so let's just say it's been operational...
It's not completely finished yet, as I still have weapons to fit (when I get them) and a few odds and sods to do to it.

809 are slated to be the first operational FAA sqn to use F-35B

NARSES2 · January 04, 2016, 02:31:41 AM

That's very nice

sandiego89 · January 04, 2016, 05:38:52 AM

Agree, looks good. I seem to like them better in non-stealth mode with the pylons.

I'm still waiting for a good "B" in 1/72....

-Dave

NARSES2 · January 04, 2016, 08:13:08 AM

I agree they look better with pylons. Been wondering what the RAF/FAA (whatever they are called by the time we get them) will call them ? Stick with Lightning or something different ? If Lightning it will need to be Lightning III as we did have a couple of P-38's although they may not have been named

kitbasher · January 04, 2016, 11:59:57 AM

Great build, shame the subject ain't the prettiest of jets!! However positively handsome compared to the competing Boeing X-32 Baleen whale-u-likey monster

Quote from: NARSES2 on January 04, 2016, 08:13:08 AM
If Lightning it will need to be Lightning III as we did have a couple of P-38's although they may not have been named

Why? The Eurofighter Typhoon isn't Typhoon II.

Devilfish · January 04, 2016, 11:22:20 PM

Quote from: NARSES2 on January 04, 2016, 08:13:08 AM
I agree they look better with pylons. Been wondering what the RAF/FAA (whatever they are called by the time we get them) will call them ? Stick with Lightning or something different ? If Lightning it will need to be Lightning III as we did have a couple of P-38's although they may not have been named

It was the RAF that named the P-38 the Lightning. The Americans were calling it the Atlantic up to that point.

Thorvic · January 04, 2016, 11:54:13 PM

Like it but I do have a FAA bias

, technically however the lettering and numbering would probably be in the same grey as the stencilling, but its not something yet available from the decal makers. Plus we now have our fourth F-35 ZM138 flying and still no markings other than the polo mint style grey roundels & fin flash plus the UK serial, It would be nice to see unit markings when 17 sqdn gets its first aircraft as then we'll know if were stuck with the polo, or if that's just to make them blend in with the US aircraft as the initial aircraft are embedded into the US Development and training units.

NARSES2 · January 05, 2016, 01:08:13 AM

Quote from: kitbasher on January 04, 2016, 11:59:57 AM

Why? The Eurofighter Typhoon isn't Typhoon II.

True but there was a 50 year gap or so ? The Lightning is still in the memory and might just have had more of an impact on your average man in the street ? I can just see the Sun's headline "Latest RAF Fighter is a design from the 1950's - Sun Exclusive" - "See our photos with suitably draped female pilot"

Quote from: Devilfish on January 04, 2016, 11:22:20 PM
Quote from: NARSES2 on January 04, 2016, 08:13:08 AM
I agree they look better with pylons. Been wondering what the RAF/FAA (whatever they are called by the time we get them) will call them ? Stick with Lightning or something different ? If Lightning it will need to be Lightning III as we did have a couple of P-38's although they may not have been named

It was the RAF that named the P-38 the Lightning. The Americans were calling it the Atlantic up to that point.

Never new that, thank you

Just proves that you can learn something new every day

Devilfish · January 05, 2016, 01:26:34 AM

Quote from: Thorvic on January 04, 2016, 11:54:13 PM
Like it but I do have a FAA bias , technically however the lettering and numbering would probably be in the same grey as the stencilling, but its not something yet available from the decal makers. Plus we now have our fourth F-35 ZM138 flying and still no markings other than the polo mint style grey roundels & fin flash plus the UK serial, It would be nice to see unit markings when 17 sqdn gets its first aircraft as then we'll know if were stuck with the polo, or if that's just to make them blend in with the US aircraft as the initial aircraft are embedded into the US Development and training units.

I really don't like the grey markings. It's bad enough I had to paint the aircraft grey. I tried to make it a little different, so it is 2 tone grey. I would hope that, by the time it eventually enters service (if it really has to) then the paint technology would have moved on enough to allow a full colour stealthy paint scheme.

DogfighterZen · January 05, 2016, 06:14:10 AM

Too bad the wash didn't come out right, that's a great build!

I've recently had the same problem, my conclusion is that the gloss varnish layer wasn't thick enough and the wash got through to the paint and stained it.
I know that's what happened cause on the models on which i tested the stuff, the varnish was applied with a hand brush and i remember that i literally bathed the model with it. But like you said, one just has to look at it as a very used aircraft.