The SwAF 'Acro Blixt' F36 Lightning

[PR19_Kit]

You can always use your power as a GB Mod 

What makes you think Fred and I WON'T do that anyway?   

[zenrat]

Sorry Kit, our powers have been removed...


...for now.

[PR19_Kit]

Hehehehe, I've just resurrected the  'Acro Blixt' as I've found an unbuilt Lightning F2A and can use its decal sheet for the canopy. Just needs the landing gear and missiles added and she's done.

Should only take a month or two....

[PR19_Kit]

I'd got some SAC white metal landing gear for the Akro Blixt, but unfortunately got the set for the Sword T4/5 model by mistake and the locating pegs at the top of the lags are larger than the holes in the Airfix/Aleykat wing assembly.

Not a problem, eh? Drill out the holes to the larger size, so I did............ right through the top of the wing on BOTH sides! 

Anyway, the legs are superglued in position now and the holes are plugged with putty, and the backstory is that the F36s had extra tank vents, required by Swedish regulations.

(Kit's 2nd Law applies of course  )

[Pellson]

...and the backstory is that the F36s had extra tank vents, required by Swedish regulations.

(Kit's 2nd Law applies of course  )

Speed filling vents to allow for a less than ten minutes turnaround. There is a basis for that - the Gripen can be turned in less than eight minutes, something that's regularly practiced.

[PR19_Kit]

Ah, THAT'S what they're for! Thanks so much, it's very handy having an 'inside source'.   

[PR19_Kit]

The SAC white metal gear castings look good at first sight, but there's a lot of flash on them and it's the devil to get off without bending the relatively soft alloy.

The V shaped anti-twist linkages on the main gear legs are separate parts for this set and need to be glued in place on the main legs, but the Vs are almost solid alloy and by the time I'd cut and filed the flash away there was nothing left of the Vs.

So the Swedish F36s had updated main gear legs with splined lower shafts, negating the need for the anti-twist linkage on the RAF marks. 

(Kit's 2nd Law applies, again....)

It's actually sitting on its (unpainted...) wheels now and looks not bad.

[NARSES2]

The SAC white metal gear castings look good at first sight, but there's a lot of flash on them and it's the devil to get off without bending the relatively soft alloy.

Must admit I've looked at them a few times for projects and have been put off by a combination of price and the memories of working with the metal they use on wargames figures.

[PR19_Kit]

Detail painting of the Akro Blixt has commenced. 

The tyres are almost black and the gear legs will soon be various shades of silver, alway assuming I can get to grips with the Revell acrylic I'm having to use, such VERY odd way of opening the 'box'.............

[PR19_Kit]

Lots of fiddly painting stuff on the Akro Blixt, I've painted the tyres at least three times now................

Soon some detail decals and it'll be done, at LAST!

[PR19_Kit]

After almost nine months, the 'Akro Blixt' Lightning F36 is finished.

Built as a plastic version of Spinners' wonderful 'Strike Fighters' version, it took a fair amountbof time as I had to make an F3 out of the F2As and F6s that I had to hand, then add the custom paint job etc.

Here's the original that inspired me.



And here's the plastic version.

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Yes, I know it's got guns and an RAF F3 doesn't, but the Swedes wanted their Lightnings to have them, just in case.   

[Old Wombat]

Excellent representation, Kit! Well done!  

[NARSES2]

Looks really good Kit   

[Wardukw]

That looks brilliant Kit..its Spinners plane made real and mate...it's gotta have guns 
Lovely bit of work     

[Pellson]

Really nice!