1/72 Airfix EE Lightning F.2A WIP (my first FSM Forum build)

Here's the intake trunking and the cockpit tub.  Added some lead weight on the rear of the trunking to help keep her rear end off the ground eventually.

1/72 Airfix EE Lightning F.2A by Ted Scalemodeling, on Flickr

The painted, decaled and washed cockpit tub

1/72 Airfix EE Lightning F.2A by Ted Scalemodeling, on Flickr

I added a couple of pairs restraints from Tamiya tape with Testors enamel Chrome paint to represent the hardware.

(The middle and left seats are to the 1/48 Accurate Miniatures SBD Dauntless that I was working on in tandem with the Lightning.  That project is on hold at the moment but I will be returning to it at some point)

1/72 Airfix EE Lightning F.2A by Ted Scalemodeling, on Flickr

Leaping ahead... I got her all closed up, added the windscreen and masked the open cockpit.  I also repaired a few panel lines along the spine in prep for the primer coat.

Untitled by Ted Scalemodeling, on Flickr

Primer is Badger Stynylrez black primer.  I like the stuff.

Untitled by Ted Scalemodeling, on Flickr

Here she is masked up to spray the spine and stabilizer with a blue color to match the scheme/markings

Untitled by Ted Scalemodeling, on Flickr

I chose Testors MM Acryl Ford/GM Engine Blue as a close scale match to the blue color.  Its really a beautiful color and sprayed great through the airbrush with a little thinning using the MM Acryl airbrush thinner. The color is pretty close to my eye though maybe SLIGHTLY brighter than the color on the real thing.  As is going to be the case throughout this build, close is just fine by me.

Its been 30 years since I have been able to actually complete a build so I'm not going to obsess over minor hickups, etc.  I NEED to get this done.

Untitled by Ted Scalemodeling, on Flickr

This will be my first big boy attempt at a natural metal finish (NMF).  I chose the AK Interactive Xtreme Metals line of paints.  I was VERY pleasantly surprised at how easy they were to use and clean up.  Here is an overall coating of the AK Xtreme Metals Polished Aluminum.  I wasnt thrilled with the finish but that was completely MY fault and not that of the paint. 

My screw ups:

- NMF over the satin finish of the Stynylrez instead of a high gloss finish

- Sprayed with a .4mm needle in the H&S Infinity airbrush instead of the .2mm

- Misted thin coats instead of one thin coat then a couple of heavier coats.

Anyway, as I said, I can live with it and moved on...

Untitled by Ted Scalemodeling, on Flickr

Then began the process of isolating a few different panels in different shades to make it look a bit more interesting

I chose to use the AK Xtreme Metals Aluminum on the central panels of the wings (tops and bottoms).  Sprayed it heavier this time (and through the .2mm) and much happier with the look, though its layed over the initial flawed base layer... lumps and bumps and all...

Untitled by Ted Scalemodeling, on Flickr

Next up is AK Xtreme Dark Aluminum for a few more panels.  I started underneath JUSTTTT in case I screwed it up.  Yeah, thats A LOT of Tamiya tape

Untitled by Ted Scalemodeling, on Flickr

And here is the underside unmasked.  I was hoping that there would not be too much contrast between the shades of aluminum.  I wanted the suggestion of varying shades, not a patchwork.

I was VERY pleased!!  Subtle, baby!

Untitled by Ted Scalemodeling, on Flickr

A quick couple of observations here regarding the AK Xtreme Metals.

- They spray GREAT and are pretty forgiving for 'metalizers'.

- They mask up beautifully with Tamiya tape that has been 'de-tacked' a bit.  As you can see I did not spare the tape.  No lifting AT ALL.  ZERO.  NADA.  ZIPPO.

- They WILL scratch easily and will wear off areas that get handled alot or rub up against your work surface, etc.  Use caution with sharp implements

Really nice work on this,i do like the NMF finish you have got.

So then it was time to flip her over and mask off some panels on the tops of the wings and the sides of the fuselage for AK Xtreme metals Dark Aluminum.  I ended up with LOTS of itty bitty panels so I used a sharpie to mark all the little places that needed some dark aluminum love

Untitled by Ted Scalemodeling, on Flickr

A lesson learned regarding masking of these small panels.  I initially tried to get away with using one large piece of tape over 3 or four panels and then went back with a sharp blade to cut out the individual panels.  I hoped this would save me time, effort and tape.   It ended up being messy.  The edges were not crisp and I scratched the finish in a few spots....

Untitled by Ted Scalemodeling, on Flickr

Realizing the errors of my ways, I switched went back to the tried and true method of cutting pieces of tape into small strips and then using those strips to outline the smaller panels before filling in with larger pieces of tape.  The results, though more time consuming, we MUCH better.  I was able to be more precise with the masking creating cleaner outlines to the panels and causing NO damage in the process.  And I actually found it relaxing.  Kind of like doing a jigsaw puzzle.

Untitled by Ted Scalemodeling, on Flickr

Bish

Really nice work on this,i do like the NMF finish you have got.

 

Thank you!

And here she is with the topside masks removed.  All done with the various panels on top.  Just have two big panels on the belly that I've decided I'd like to shade in Duraluminum or Titanium, and then its on to finishing up the little bits like the Firestreak missiles and the landing gear before a clear coat and decals!

Untitled by Ted Scalemodeling, on Flickr

Untitled by Ted Scalemodeling, on Flickr

Weapons: HOLD.

I've hit a bit of a snag.  I cracked open a bottle of AK Interactive Xtreme Metals Duraluminum and found something wasn't right.  It had clumped significantly, would not stir or mix and had a decidedly greenish hue.  This was a fresh, unopened bottle that had been purchased last spring.  Figuring I had gotten a bad batch (it happens), I ordered a replacement bottle.  I got it about a week later.  Upong opening the new bottle I found it had suffered the same fate.  Ugh.

This is a photo of what it looked like.  Note the clumped paint and the greenish color.  Almost looks like algae!

Untitled by Ted Scalemodeling, on Flickr

I have contacted AK Interactive and they were very receptive and apologetic.  They tell me they have shipped a replacement to me.  I expect with Christmas shipping delays it may take a little while to arrive.

 I thnk I will move on to the teenie tiny missiles while I wait

Airfix best kit ever, in all scales. I like that small detailed cockpit work. Don't be afraid to lightly sand the rough paint areas with some fine sandpaper and do some touch ups. Very good paint and masking though overall!

You're doing a great job on this kit.  The NMF looks fantastic!

Toshi

Nice job ! I really like the subtile panel color changes you've achieved.

Update:

Sealed the paint with AK Interactive Gauzy clear coat in prep for decals.

Gauzy was great.  Nice and hard.  I did spray it on a bit heavy in spots and it ran.  Totally my fault and not a fault of the product.

AK Interactive Gauzy clear coat by Ted Scalemodeling, on Flickr

Decaling has begun.  LOTS of little decals to apply.  This will take a while.

Light at the end of the tunnel though!

Decaling has begun by Ted Scalemodeling, on Flickr

The Lightning is my favourite aircraft - yours is looking great - very nice job on the bare metal finish.

Seriously, Ted?

For all the things you've told us were "screw ups"....DANG....that thing is BEAUTIFUL!

Nicely done!  Thanks for the progress pics, Ted.  You have no idea how many people will look at your build and think "Ok....THAT didn't look that hard....I can do that".  And 1, 10, or 50 people will EXTEND their knowledge base because of your post.  Dude...how cool is THAT?

Your post (and all the helpful info) is why I like this website so much.  Cheers!!!!

Very nice cockpit and metal work on that one Ted.  That's a very striking scheme on the beautiful Lightning.

Chris