BAC Lightning T5 XS422 Empire Test Pilot School

[Lee Drennen]

Missed the updates looking good.

[PaulTRose]

Look forward to this.....one of my fave aircraft.......from an era when aircraft looked interesting

[Miko]

Been a few weeks since I visited here for an update, real life has been getting in the way but, photo etch, I'm not really familiar with it so it's been a steep learning curve, it is so so mega hyper totally completely the fiddliest thing in the history of the universe! No doubt it's super clever and adds hugely to the detail of the build and for those who enjoy such things it's brilliant!! For me, not a fan! there's a lot more on the fret to add but I don't think I'll bother.
As Sword kits are short run injection molded, this is evident in this kit, every part needs attention and dry fitting is a must, some flash, molding anomalies with questionable mold gate design choices and some really quite impressive ejector pin stubs! alignment needs to carefully considered, I'm not sure I got the fuselage halves just right, only a millimeter out but then other parts don't fit right like the cockpit canopy and the jet pipes for example. But, it is what it is and presents a challenge to my modelling skills which for me, is a good thing, others may complain, not me, it's the best Lightning kit I've known including the newer Airfix kits.











After extensive dry fitting and fiddling about with no11 blade and a needle file it's mostly gap free, needs a coat of primer to highlight any further work needed

Miko (Sword kits, not for the faint hearted and those who prefer 'shake 'n bake')

[boatman]

great stuff Miko i'll follow your build
chrisb

[Tworrs]

I gather you're not really a fan of PE then looking good mate.

[Miko]

I gather you're not really a fan of PE then looking good mate.

It's brilliant stuff, it's just too fiddly and a bit unnecessary for me. while researching how to apply the stuff I saw some incredibly amazing detail added with etch, sure adds to any build

Miko (traditional modeller)

[Tworrs]

It's brilliant stuff, it's just too fiddly and a bit unnecessary for me. while researching how to apply the stuff I saw some incredibly amazing detail added with etch, sure adds to any build

Miko (traditional modeller)

I'm with you on that one.

[boatman]

I'm with you on that one.

YEA so am i as i cant stand this P/E as i found out on my vullcan gun for my tomcat as when i treid to fit the gun barrels through the tiny bits of P/E its just all bent up an was useless as it was way to thin so had to scrap that part of the P/E an use the kits plastic mountins so P/E NO WAY FOR ME an yes i liked P/E for that large radar on my tiger as that was managable but any p/e parts now i just dump
chrisb

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Nice work Miko. Did you add any nose weight. Most Lightnings do require it.

[Miko]

Nice work Miko. Did you add any nose weight. Most Lightnings do require it.

They certainly do, I crammed as much lead in the nose cone radar thingy and behind the cockpit too, should be enough I think

Miko (adding ballast)

[adt70hk]

That's looking very very good so far!

ATB.

Andrew