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Hangartime · Posted: Tue 18 Nov 2008 10:09 am Post subject:

Just a bunch of wet and dry sanding with minor filling - lots of smaller ducts and aerials to add to the fuselage from here. Seam lines removed and onto wings next to be sanded/filled next.

The wings have minor sink marks and will need to be as smooth as the fuselage. At this stage just alot of prep.
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the evolution of the modern car is such it now ressembles a toaster.

smethwick · Black Star Joined: 26 May 2008 Posts: 16

Looking great, like the way you are talkin us through the build process..

T

Hangartime · Posted: Tue 18 Nov 2008 23:41 pm Post subject:

Thanks - it's actually just a brief overview rather than glue part A to B then onto C. Much of it's prep - and there's nothing exciting about sanding and filling....

Wings are getting a wet 'n' dry light sanding and some filling required. Elevators are ok - but I need to 'skip' through the instructions so anything that is to be painted as part of the F3 airframe is attached. The idea being the gloss undercoat will show any flaws that need attention before silver coat goes over it. Nothing shows up flaws like metallic silver that's for sure.
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the evolution of the modern car is such it now ressembles a toaster.

daniel7891 · Posted: Wed 19 Nov 2008 09:58 am Post subject:

Coming along well. I agree the write up is great
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Cheers

Daniel

Hangartime · Posted: Wed 19 Nov 2008 10:09 am Post subject:

Thanks, nothing to report tonight - still just plodding on. Though I have found a link of what I hope it to be similar too.

http://www.clavework-graphics.co....raft/ee_lightning/F3_111Sqn_2.png

The only difference is the the kit is XR711 as a serial. Also researching the colours closely. The newer they were, the brighter the panels seemed to be - and the older became a little 'patchwork quilt' with various panels showing their age or being discoloured.

2 reference shots are the best of the bunch - mid to late 60's period consistant with most aircraft of the time.

http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/types...lish_electric/lightning/XS927.jpg

http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/types...lish_electric/lightning/XS921.jpg

Alot of minor colours with small variations - and in metal finish will be interesting.
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the evolution of the modern car is such it now ressembles a toaster.

Hangartime · Posted: Fri 21 Nov 2008 10:34 am Post subject:

Just masked up kit after basic assembly. Smaller pieces to add to the external frame, nearly first coat of paint to be added.

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the evolution of the modern car is such it now ressembles a toaster.

TimJ · Posted: Fri 21 Nov 2008 17:41 pm Post subject:

Looking good.

What will you be using to paint it? I'm thinking of using a rattle-can on mine as when I apply silver with a brush it ends up a bit streaky.
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So many kits, so little time

daniel7891 · Posted: Fri 21 Nov 2008 21:42 pm Post subject:

Coming along great, looking forward to seeing it with paint on
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Cheers

Daniel

Hangartime · Posted: Fri 21 Nov 2008 22:34 pm Post subject:

Well, your wish is granted.

I'd sprayed it with Tamiya Gloss Aluminium. Takes 15 minutes to dry - decals go on great - finish so close to Alclad II aluminium without the risks of a smelly laquer needing an airbrush.

If I had to only give 1 piece of advice on a metal finish - I'd say use the spray can of this - will last multiple kits, dries streak and fade free, durable and very easy to use. Unless you want a chrome finish - Alclad is the stuff for that. I've tried foil too but found it too shiny and can make a kit look like a piece of tin.

This will be left to hard dry before picking out details all over the airframe.
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the evolution of the modern car is such it now ressembles a toaster.

Badwolf · Posted: Fri 21 Nov 2008 22:41 pm Post subject:

That aluminium spray has gone on a treat, it looks beautifully smooth.

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TimJ · Posted: Sat 22 Nov 2008 12:12 pm Post subject:

Looks great, I'll have to get myself a tin.
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So many kits, so little time

Spike · Posted: Sat 22 Nov 2008 12:35 pm Post subject:

Awesome, awesome, awesome.... inspriation abound thanks!
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Hangartime · Posted: Sun 23 Nov 2008 10:16 am Post subject:

Firestreaks and Red tops assembled. After a little research the red top came into service in 1964 - so fits in line with a 1965 aircraft. Wheels assembled as well.

At this stage there's very little on the sprue(s) so it must be coming to completion (for assembly at least).
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the evolution of the modern car is such it now ressembles a toaster.

walrus · Posted: Sun 23 Nov 2008 10:59 am Post subject:

i'm so glad i have one in the stash- albeit an F6! great stuff HT!

jhl1908 · Posted: Sun 23 Nov 2008 11:39 am Post subject:

Looking great so far.

I know it's a little late..

Did you put some weight in the nose?
If I remember right, the Lightning is a heavy tail-sitter.

All the best from Jesper.

Hangartime · Posted: Mon 24 Nov 2008 21:35 pm Post subject:

I haven't glued the nose yet so it's been catered for - I'll need to hammer the lead to shape - takes 20gms which isn't too bad.

I've sprayed the missiles though and preping fuselage for the panel staining. Some fitting of tail showed that the fin tab needed scraping to fit down properly - looks vert effective being metal with a black fin, almost shark like.
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the evolution of the modern car is such it now ressembles a toaster.

FZ6 · Posted: Tue 25 Nov 2008 00:36 am Post subject:

Good looking build so far.....

I'm really looking forward to seeing this one painted

Hangartime · Posted: Tue 25 Nov 2008 09:11 am Post subject:

Well, tonights effort was just sealing the paintwork and minor decaling of the dry fit fin - I've decided the panel shading can be overlayed - to be entirely with Tamiya Smoke.

Base coat sealed. Top and bottom.

Will be left overnight now with Klear to dry - colour for the black is stated as a semi gloss - this was thinned and sprayed using a majority mix of IPA to get a flatter finish even though gloss black was used. Also ensures good decal adhesion on a semi gloss surface, dries extremely quickly and leaves a very smooth finish.

While the sealant (Klear) is to fully dry - I'd adhered decals on the tail as this was already ok to do - seen dry fitted here.

Next will be the landing gear and decals for both missiles.
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the evolution of the modern car is such it now ressembles a toaster.

TimJ · Posted: Tue 25 Nov 2008 13:26 pm Post subject:

Looking good. Can't wait to see it with the decals on.
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So many kits, so little time

DH764 · Posted: Tue 25 Nov 2008 15:05 pm Post subject:

Very nice and shiny

Andy
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