Sword Lightning F.1/F.2 as an F.3
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The kit in question...
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Can someone show these "short run" sprue attachment points to Airfix?
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Nice detailing for a short run kit.
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I was starting to build a Lightning F.1, so I made the black cockpit.
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I then noticed I could build a Lightning F.3 from this kit, so the cockpit became grey.
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I added seatbelts from the spares box since Sword oddly didn't include any.
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The two odd shaped pieces towards the bottom of the photo are sidewalls that go alongside the seat, but I decided not to add them as they wouldn't be really visible. Several damn near microscopic pieces of the cockpit (levers mostly) were also omitted.
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There are small photoetch pieces under the instrument coaming. You can see them on the right.
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I had originally glued on the double pull rings to the top of the seat, but they fell off and disappeared, so I used the large single pull ring instead.
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I didn't use the foot pedals Sword supplied as they were too fiddly for my old fumble fingers, so I used the ones from an Airwaves set.
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Pinky finger for scale reference.
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Attached the radar screen to the coaming. I primarily use Alene's Tacky Glue for attaching the etch pieces, although in a few places I used superglue.
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Added some etch details to the wheel wells that will never be seen once the kit is completed. I will know it's there, and that's the important part. After attaching both pieces to this well I noticed I had placed them too far down, and had bent one to fit the well contour when it should have been straight. Oh well, like I said, no one will see them.
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Glued the other wing together and noticed I had lost one of the photoetch pieces for the wheel well, but as I said, no one will see it so no harm done.
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The wings are together and the fuselage is together as well. The only fit issues I experienced were self inflicted.
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Sanded down one wing where the fit was a little off. Again, due to me, not necessarily the kit.
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A shot of the cockpit in the enclosed fuselage.
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Wings are now attached.
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I found a nice reference on Thunder and Lightnings showing me the cable duct placement for the F.3. Right side duct is on.
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Doing some filling and sanding....
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Still filling and sanding. I found the missing piece of photoetch that I had thought I lost so now both wheel wells match.
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Some sanding has been done....
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Today was an Anglophile day. I started by watching the F1 race at Silverstone, then worked on my British jet while listening to a great British band, King Crimson, all while wearing this King Crimson shirt.
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I think I'm done filling the top side. Once the canopy is attached I will prime and find out.
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I have tacked the canopies in place so I can start priming.
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Priming some the other parts to be attached later.
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Start of priming the fuselage, bottom first so I can check on these seams. They are the most likely to need more work.
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We have been moving at work and I've been a bit tired and burned out when I get home so I have been slacking off regarding my Lightning build. I had to retouch a seam under the nose.
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I also did use a touch of putty where the tail joins the spine.
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The painting process has begun with Hataka paints. I've used Camouflage(Barley) Grey and Medium Sea Grey. I really like these paints.
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Almost done painting the main fuselage. I just need to paint the tail section Camouflage (Barley) Grey.
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Installing the gear and I can't say I'm a fan of how Sword did the nose gear. Adding the nose wheel is way too fiddly for my fumbly old fingers and not much surface for a strong glue bond.
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Took some time away, but I'm back at it. I've weathered and am getting the decals on.
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Decals finished.
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Decals finished. Next up, a clear coat and some more weathering. Then it will be finishing touches to finish it off.
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....and it's done!
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I'm pretty happy with it.
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Коментари
12 17 June 2022, 14:29
![](/profiles/img/119848-697-s.jpg)
Love the Lightning so enjoying seeing what you have done with this kit. Nice work, Sir!
21 November 2022, 07:06
Album info
Building a Sword Lightning F.3