Joe's 1/72 Lightning F2A Airfix 1/72

[colin m]

It's stencil decals next. Not been looking forward to that task...

Quite honestly Joe, you know the really, really small ones - we won't know if you don't use them all.......

[flyjoe180]

I used every single little stencil, two days of decal application bliss. No issues with the Airfix decals, they are great.
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And why not just continue and get the lot done!
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Satin varnish applied next, just a few bits and pieces to go now, navigation lights etc. I forgot about the missiles, wondered why I had a few decals left over from that vast sheet...

[rickoshea52]

Applying those decals are a bundle of fun, eh? I see you cross off the decals on the instructions as you apply them too.
Looking good Joe.

[flyjoe180]

I see you cross off the decals on the instructions as you apply them too.

No other way of keeping track of them really there are so many. I know I've put a few in a slightly incorrect position...

[papa 695]

That's looking very good Joe.

[yak face]

Beautiful looking model joe , im doing the same scheme now ian has kindly sent me his spare decals, not sure if im looking forward to all the stencils though!

[dave]

Looking good, stencils on modern jets are always a pain there are so any of them.

[flyjoe180]

Canopy unmasked and cleaned up. Missiles are on the paint stand drying.
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[flyjoe180]

Beautiful looking model joe , im doing the same scheme now ian has kindly sent me his spare decals, not sure if im looking forward to all the stencils though!

They're not too bad Tony, and adhere well. I used Decalfix to enable them to settle into the recessed lines. They're quite thin. I worked the lower fuselage (some are tucked up under the high wing), from rear to front, then the same for the fuselage above the wing. Then the wing undersides, then the wing tops. After that I did the same method for the main decals. This way I didn't need to handle the model too much in areas where I had already applied decals.

It's a very attractive scheme isn't it? I'm glad I got brave and didn't chicken out with the green scheme.

[flyjoe180]

stencils on modern jets are always a pain there are so any of them.

Somewhere out there is a sadistic stencil designer Dave who knows modellers will try to emulate his work...

[yak face]

They're not too bad Tony, and adhere well. I used Decalfix to enable them to settle into the recessed lines. They're quite thin. I worked the lower fuselage (some are tucked up under the high wing), from rear to front, then the same for the fuselage above the wing. Then the wing undersides, then the wing tops. After that I did the same method for the main decals. This way I didn't need to handle the model too much in areas where I had already applied decals.

It's a very attractive scheme isn't it? I'm glad I got brave and didn't chicken out with the green scheme.

Its a scheme i really wanted to do joe as its the silver lightnings i remember seeing ( and hearing!!!) at the finningley airshows when i was a kid. Its just such a classic look , the natural metal and the big red white and blue roundels, cheers tony

[rickoshea52]

Do the black lines on the upper wing before the roundels Tony. You'll enjoy the build.

[rickoshea52]

Somewhere out there is a sadistic stencil designer Dave who knows modellers will try to emulate his work...

I'd like to shake him warmly by the neck.

[Guest]

This is looking a real beauty Joe.
Makes me want to dig out a plane from the stash but I'm too busy with figures.
Not made a plastic kit in over a year.

[colin m]

So you used them all, every last one. None, accidentally went missing ? I'm sure the carpet monster reached up a grabbed a few of mine..............But anyway, it's looking great. For me, the Lightning is up there with a Harrier, perennial jets.