Dizzyfugu's Singapore Lightning - finished

Dizzyfugu · February 04, 2013, 12:24:59 AM

This has not reached the hardware stage yet, but I found Nick's idea so plausible and convincing that I will add a second Lightning to the "bunch".

Will probably become a Matchbox kit, and an F6 in NMF with bright markings - the idea is to have an ex RAF 74th Sq. Lightning from Tengah being taken over by Singapore's air force, maybe from RSAF 140th Sq.. The machine might also see slight mods concerning armament.

Nick · February 04, 2013, 12:03:11 PM

Sounds good to me!

Not too sure about my backstory (seems complicated) so I might adapt it to match yours, something like using the ex 74 Sqdn Lightnings until rebuilt ones were delivered from BAe. I did look at doing a Lightning for the RSAF display team, The Black Knights, but it seems their Hunters didn't have a proper scheme until the 80s.

Dizzyfugu · February 05, 2013, 12:13:07 AM

The kit's backgorund has been revised, see below for the updated version together with pics and WiP documentation.

I am really looking forward to your build - and it's IMHO no problem if the models do not share the same story or timeline. After all, it's whifworld, and I am looking forward to see your view of the subject.

Dizzyfugu · February 07, 2013, 12:14:36 AM

Project has reached hardware stage - the Matchbox kit bears only little trouble, but I am adding some cockpit und surface details. Fuselage and wings are already in place, soon the paint job can start! Looking forward to Nick's parallel work and result

Dizzyfugu · February 10, 2013, 02:34:55 AM

Teaser pics, in order to keep the audience excited...

Pimpin' the engine nozzles of the Matchbox kit with sprocket wheels from a Panzer IV:

1:72 EE/BAC Lightning F.6S, aircraft '237/G' (ex RAF XR773) of 139 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force/RSAF; Tengah Air Base, 1976 (Whif) - Wip by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 EE/BAC Lightning F.6S, aircraft '237/G' (ex RAF XR773) of 139 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force/RSAF; Tengah Air Base, 1976 (Whif) - Wip by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Cockpit details and landing gear

1:72 EE/BAC Lightning F.6S, aircraft '237/G' (ex RAF XR773) of 139 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force/RSAF; Tengah Air Base, 1976 (Whif) - Wip by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 EE/BAC Lightning F.6S, aircraft '237/G' (ex RAF XR773) of 139 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force/RSAF; Tengah Air Base, 1976 (Whif) - Wip by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Adding colors through unorthodox measures

1:72 EE/BAC Lightning F.6S, aircraft '237/G' (ex RAF XR773) of 139 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force/RSAF; Tengah Air Base, 1976 (Whif) - Wip by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 EE/BAC Lightning F.6S, aircraft '237/G' (ex RAF XR773) of 139 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force/RSAF; Tengah Air Base, 1976 (Whif) - Wip by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Stay tuned...

Captain Canada · February 10, 2013, 07:04:00 AM

Excellent ! Love the details, and the landing gear looks perfect !

What are you working with in the last photo ?

Dizzyfugu · February 10, 2013, 08:46:26 AM

Flashy decoration

The Wooksta! · February 10, 2013, 02:41:42 PM

The little squares in two vertical lines near the exhausts - sand them off totally. Matchbox did them as raised detail when in fact they're a stencil. Think Frog/Hasegawa fell into the same trap.

Dizzyfugu · February 11, 2013, 07:56:56 AM

It's too late, but I know what you mean. I kept then since I orginally wanted to paint them (one by one), avoiding a decal solution. But in the meantime I settled for an alternative, just adding a thin red line between them. We'll see...

Dizzyfugu · February 14, 2013, 12:31:21 AM

Due to sickness work has halted, but to keep you entertained I will reveal some more WiP pics.

Almost no structural changes - lowered flaps and new missile hardpoints (for four AIM-9 Sidewinder), that's all:

1:72 EE/BAC Lightning F.6S, aircraft '237/G' (ex RAF XR773) of 139 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force/RSAF; Tengah Air Base, 1976 (Whif) - Wip by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 EE/BAC Lightning F.6S, aircraft '237/G' (ex RAF XR773) of 139 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force/RSAF; Tengah Air Base, 1976 (Whif) - Wip by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Other minor added details include the opened blow-in doors for the upper engine, as well as about a dozen small air scoops/exhausts all over the fuselage which the Matchbox kit simply lacks. The canopy was cut in half for later display.

1:72 EE/BAC Lightning F.6S, aircraft '237/G' (ex RAF XR773) of 139 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force/RSAF; Tengah Air Base, 1976 (Whif) - Wip by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Doing the NMF! In order to avoid a uniform look I used several Metallizer, enamel and acrylic paints all round the fuselage. Additionally, a black ink wash was applied (shown in the upper pic), then some additional painting on selected panels done, and then another wash applied.

When the decals are in place, the kit will also get a rubbing with finely grinded pencil mine, which enhances the metallic look and points out the raised surface details of the vintage Matchbox kit (it's from 1976!).

1:72 EE/BAC Lightning F.6S, aircraft '237/G' (ex RAF XR773) of 139 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force/RSAF; Tengah Air Base, 1976 (Whif) - Wip by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 EE/BAC Lightning F.6S, aircraft '237/G' (ex RAF XR773) of 139 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force/RSAF; Tengah Air Base, 1976 (Whif) - Wip by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

More to come soon...

Supertom · February 15, 2013, 06:56:02 AM

Captain Canada · February 15, 2013, 03:19:23 PM

Really coming along now !

Dizzyfugu · February 18, 2013, 01:11:04 AM

Work is stalling, because of the roundels. I originally intended to use the Yin-Yang insignia from the Airfix Strikemaster kit, but I eventually found them to be too small for the huge Lightning.

I try now to print my first decals for htis one by myself, already ordered respective paper, but it's not certain when it will arrive and how it turns out.

My OOB favorite would be the markings from the 1:48 Hawker Hunter from Italeri (it contains a RSAF aircraft), but the kit is too expensive to buy just for the decals...

In the meantime, I started another small project, which will also turn up as an Asiarama model.

Please stay tuned... $:-\$

Dizzyfugu · February 19, 2013, 12:24:41 AM

While still waiting for roundels or stuff to make them, I started a small whif project in parallel. Nevertheless, to keep you excited I can post final WiP pics, showing the Lightning in almost full glory on the work bench

1:72 EE/BAC Lightning F.6S, aircraft '237/G' (ex RAF XR773) of 139 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force/RSAF; Tengah Air Base, 1976 (Whif) - Wip by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 EE/BAC Lightning F.6S, aircraft '237/G' (ex RAF XR773) of 139 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force/RSAF; Tengah Air Base, 1976 (Whif) - Wip by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

The checkered tail fin is made with decal "tiles", cut from a red sheet and applied one by one. Sounds and looks complicated, but was MUCH easier and more tidy than expected! The red trim line along the spine is another decal from the same manufacturer (TL Modellbau).

The checkered bar behind the squadron emblem has also been puzzled together from decal pieces (see earlier WiP pic).

Most stencils come from a Lightning aftermarket sheet from Xtradecals, other decoration comes from the scrap box.

Stay tuned...

Dizzyfugu · March 04, 2013, 12:46:56 AM

It's finished! One more teaser pic: Canada finally made the race, so that 1:48 scale roundels from an A-4S Skyhawk ended up on the Lightning's flanks.

1:72 EE/BAC Lightning F.6S, aircraft '237/G' (ex RAF XR773) of 139 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force/RSAF; Tengah Air Base, 1976 (Whif/Matchbox kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Next post will be the "whole thing" in all its glory (and beauty!).

Stay tuned!