Rob Sherman

Got a big jump on my progress yesterday and today. Lots of pre/post shade showing through 3 coats of Future. It'll tone down with the final dull coat:

After a big decal session. NO complaints about anything about the Cartograph decals. They went on great. If I had to make a comment, I'd say they were a bit thick, but, with MicroSol, they settled down nicely on the Future surface. Lots of long thin lines; I thought they'd be a pain, but, they were easy to lay down:

The kit came with a FOD protector (nice touch):

That's all for today. Gotta do the tires, missiles and re-fuel prod. Almost there. Gonna call this one done this week!

Great job there Rob!     

Ken

Beautiful work there Rob, looking forward to seeing her finished.

Thanks guys..will get back on this one this evening.

Hi Everyone!

Hold on to your hats!  You better sit down if you are not already!  I am going to get back to the workbench!   

I will have to clear it off first.  After that, this will be what I will start on:

It will be STRICTLY out of the box!  I need to just do one that I can relax while doing it without spending a lot of time on details and customizing with aftermarket parts.  After that I will get back to one of my other already started projects.

Ken 

Ken, I feel your pain.  That is what I am doing with my current builds that I am working on.  I'm finishing up the F-16D and starting the Zveda 787 for the Airliner GB.  I should have the F-16 done soon (I'll get some updated photos added as I am getting ready to finish the loadout on her).  Both of these builds are going to be OOB and a chance to polish my skills before jumping headfirst into the aftermarket stuff I've purchased for some of the other kits.

jelliott523

Ken, I feel your pain.  That is what I am doing with my current builds that I am working on.  I'm finishing up the F-16D and starting the Zveda 787 for the Airliner GB.  I should have the F-16 done soon (I'll get some updated photos added as I am getting ready to finish the loadout on her).  Both of these builds are going to be OOB and a chance to polish my skills before jumping headfirst into the aftermarket stuff I've purchased for some of the other kits.

10-4 on that Jeremy!  I just want to spend quality time enjoying the hobby for a while instead of working so hard making it perfect.

Ken

Jim, the hog is looking mighty fine. As far as that nephew of yours, you can't do for those that are unwilling to do for themselves. Sounds as though he's willing to drift thru life as long as he can. At 24 I was going to college full-time and working 30 hrs. a week at a gas station for next to nothing. Make no mistake; I'm not complaining, just saying if he had any motivation and self-discipline he wouldn't be putting you thru this hell. You deserve better!

Rob, the NMF on that plane looks wonderful. Very nice wear and weathering overall. It'll look good on the wall of fame! Glad you joined our little group.

Thanks mikeymize. The Lightning is done. I finished it last nite. I let is sit over night to set up anything needing to finally dry. I'll get the final photos up tonight.

She's all set up and I photographed the Lightning on a neutral background. Overall, this was a very good example of Airfix's new tool line. Almost every single part was engineered to fit excellently. Here's my list of pros and cons:

Pros

- excellent parts fit, shape and design.

- two schemes to choose from

- superior Cartograph decals

- Inclusion of FOD guard for intake

- excellent landing gear well detail

- tires 'bulged' to indicate weight of plane

- clear parts for missile tips (2 varieties)

- fine decals for 'yellow' line-work around canopy

- you really can't beat the price...low price but good quality

- No flash

- Instructions are well done with no erroneous steps

Cons

- I find Airfix's plastic to be somewhat soft and has a 'rough' texture on flat surfaces (I've heard but can't confirm that Airfix does this to make brush painting easier, but, again, can't confirm this)

- molding seams need lots of work to sand or shave, but, the soft plastic makes it easy, but, it was constant

- Refuelling prod didn't sit well against the underside wing (only real poor fit for me)

- little to no cockpit detail (this continues to surprise me with Airfix's new tooling line - they cockpits are quite spartan..I wonder if its done to keep costs down??)

- Didn't like 'belly bulge' being multiple parts..I realize it's to allow release of different versions down the road, but, the multiple parts were a pain for this version.

Here she is and I'd like to take the badge for finishing this build....Thanks for looking!!

I like this pic as you can really see the clear dome on the tip of the missile.

Rob Sherman

She's all set up and I photographed the Lightning on a neutral background. Overall, this was a very good example of Airfix's new tool line. Almost every single part was engineered to fit excellently. Here's my list of pros and cons:

Pros

- excellent parts fit, shape and design.

- two schemes to choose from

- superior Cartograph decals

- Inclusion of FOD guard for intake

- excellent landing gear well detail

- tires 'bulged' to indicate weight of plane

- clear parts for missile tips (2 varieties)

- fine decals for 'yellow' line-work around canopy

- you really can't beat the price...low price but good quality

- No flash

- Instructions are well done with no erroneous steps

Cons

- I find Airfix's plastic to be somewhat soft and has a 'rough' texture on flat surfaces (I've heard but can't confirm that Airfix does this to make brush painting easier, but, again, can't confirm this)

- molding seams need lots of work to sand or shave, but, the soft plastic makes it easy, but, it was constant

- Refuelling prod didn't sit well against the underside wing (only real poor fit for me)

- little to no cockpit detail (this continues to surprise me with Airfix's new tooling line - they cockpits are quite spartan..I wonder if its done to keep costs down??)

- Didn't like 'belly bulge' being multiple parts..I realize it's to allow release of different versions down the road, but, the multiple parts were a pain for this version.

Here she is and I'd like to take the badge for finishing this build....Thanks for looking!!

I like this pic as you can really see the clear dome on the tip of the missile.

Great job Rob!      And thank you for giving us that review of the kit.  I will update the front page.

Ken

Rob,

Great job on your Lightning! Ran into one of these somewhere in Kuwait, and still remember that stacked, dual exhaust..... Great pictures and run down on the kit!

Greatly appreciated!

TAD

Just beautiful Rob!

Well done sir! 

Thanks guys, I do, however have to admit a mistake I made. I forgot to put it in my post above. My missiles are not accurate. I admit, I made a rookie error when cutting the first nose cone for the De Haviland Firestreak Missiles. The part is a cone shaped clear part. When cutting it off the sprue, the first cone shot at a million miles an hour and landed somewhere in my hobby room. Gone. SO, I had to resort to the round nosed parts on the model. I think they are alternate parts that would have been included in a variant that would have had Hawker Sidley Red Tops. So, for all purists...oh well...

Rob, I'm not sure how many of us would've noticed the "goof" on your missiles; I wouldn't. That being said, you did an outstanding job and the review was great too. Maybe FSM will take note and sign you up!

Thanks Mike!

Tal Afar Dave

Rob,

Great job on your Lightning! Ran into one of these somewhere in Kuwait, and still remember that stacked, dual exhaust..... Great pictures and run down on the kit!

Greatly appreciated!

TAD

You know what Dave?  I didn't even notice that it had dual exhaust, let alone that they were "stacked"!  Thanks for pointing that out!

Ken

Rob Sherman

Thanks guys, I do, however have to admit a mistake I made. I forgot to put it in my post above. My missiles are not accurate. I admit, I made a rookie error when cutting the first nose cone for the De Haviland Firestreak Missiles. The part is a cone shaped clear part. When cutting it off the sprue, the first cone shot at a million miles an hour and landed somewhere in my hobby room. Gone. SO, I had to resort to the round nosed parts on the model. I think they are alternate parts that would have been included in a variant that would have had Hawker Sidley Red Tops. So, for all purists...oh well...

Hi Rob,

I would have never known that you made a mistake.  But thank you for letting everyone know in case they were using your posts as a reference.  That counts as not making any mistakes in my book!

Ken

Hi Everyone,

I made some serious headway tonight on clearing off my workbench.  Most of it was different tools I was using working on the F-84E and the SR-71A.  But my attitude is if starting a new project, best to start off with a clean workbench.

I also spent some of this evening working on a flyer for our IPMS chapter.  Since Don James passed away, our chapter is down to only four members.  We need to get some new members!  I figured a good way to find them was to put up a flyer at the two hobby shops we have here in Lafayette, IN.

I think that the hobby shops will be receptive of putting them up since it will benefit them by helping to increase interest in the hobby.

Someone told me that they heard one of the contestants on Jeopardy mention IPMS.  National recognition!

Ken

Rob: Beautiful work, the camo, NM finish, everything looks perfect! And thanks for pointing out the error with the missiles, I never would have known.

Ken: Good luck with the recruitment, four members!?! Wow, guess we're lucky to have what we have even if half of them don't show up at most meetings.

Rob Sherman

She's all set up and I photographed the Lightning on a neutral background. Overall, this was a very good example of Airfix's new tool line. Almost every single part was engineered to fit excellently. Here's my list of pros and cons:

Pros

- excellent parts fit, shape and design.

- two schemes to choose from

- superior Cartograph decals

- Inclusion of FOD guard for intake

- excellent landing gear well detail

- tires 'bulged' to indicate weight of plane

- clear parts for missile tips (2 varieties)

- fine decals for 'yellow' line-work around canopy

- you really can't beat the price...low price but good quality

- No flash

- Instructions are well done with no erroneous steps

Cons

- I find Airfix's plastic to be somewhat soft and has a 'rough' texture on flat surfaces (I've heard but can't confirm that Airfix does this to make brush painting easier, but, again, can't confirm this)

- molding seams need lots of work to sand or shave, but, the soft plastic makes it easy, but, it was constant

- Refuelling prod didn't sit well against the underside wing (only real poor fit for me)

- little to no cockpit detail (this continues to surprise me with Airfix's new tooling line - they cockpits are quite spartan..I wonder if its done to keep costs down??)

- Didn't like 'belly bulge' being multiple parts..I realize it's to allow release of different versions down the road, but, the multiple parts were a pain for this version.

Here she is and I'd like to take the badge for finishing this build....Thanks for looking!!

I like this pic as you can really see the clear dome on the tip of the missile.

Really some fine work on the lightning! The weathering and all came out great! I had to restrain myself as I wanted to have one and almost ordered a Trumpeter F.2/F.6., but I resisted. (The Airfix kit is sold out already!) The Trumpeter kit gives you the option of building an F.2 or an F.6., with pieces to make either version of the belly bulge. Also has those over the wing fuel tanks. I think the Lightning  was a very unique aircraft, esp with the over and under placement of the engines. The Trumpeter kit has those missiles molded in clear.

Son Of Medicine Man

Hi Everyone,

I made some serious headway tonight on clearing off my workbench.  Most of it was different tools I was using working on the F-84E and the SR-71A.  But my attitude is if starting a new project, best to start off with a clean workbench.

I also spent some of this evening working on a flyer for our IPMS chapter.  Since Don James passed away, our chapter is down to only four members.  We need to get some new members!  I figured a good way to find them was to put up a flyer at the two hobby shops we have here in Lafayette, IN.

I think that the hobby shops will be receptive of putting them up since it will benefit them by helping to increase interest in the hobby.

Someone told me that they heard one of the contestants on Jeopardy mention IPMS.  National recognition!

Ken

Good to see you getting back to the hobby with all you have had to do! Clearing up the workbench is a good way to start! I sometimes do the same: my work space gets so cluttered at times, I decide that I need to clean it up, and clear it off. This also includes dabs of paint, glues, pieces of tape, toothpicks used for stirring and so on. Then I hate to use it as it looks so nice!

I don't know how active the IPMS is here in Colorado. Most of the web sites I found haven't been updated for some and the few that appear active are too far away !I still kick myself for not visiting the IPMS show last year when they had a convention in Loveland to the north of me.

Jim

I was going to post up some WIP photos, but the eyelids are fighting me.....

Jim...I think that Airfix has the intention to release the Lightning in several versions. As I mentioned in my post, the belly bulge had to be assembled and placed in the fuselage, so, that indicates to me that the different types of bellies are possible in later releases (or earlier). An old Airfix F.1 had the completely different belly, so, I suspect Airfix will retool.

Hi Everyone,

I am bummed because I did not get a chance to work on clearing my workbench tonight.  I had to take care of too many other personal business.  Hopefully I will get back to it tomorrow night.

Ken

I'm bummed too because I've been fighting a cold which has made it tough to work on anything.

Duke Maddog

I'm bummed too because I've been fighting a cold which has made it tough to work on anything.

That sucks Duke!  I hope you start feeling better real soon!

Ken

Hi Everyone,

Well tonight I got to spend some time clearing off my workbench.  But I spent most of the evening working on that flyer for our IPMS chapter.  I got it finished and will be stopping by the hobby shops this weekend.

Ken

Well, first off I'm bummed out because Wed. night I was so tired, I came home and just went straight to bed! Some evening that was! Tonight was no better: When I was examined by Doctors back when I had that fall where I cracked my ribs and sprained my wrists, they said I had a lot of wear and tear and damage to my hands and wrists...and arthritis as well. Sometimes the arthritis is just going to flair up and be a bear for one reason or another, and tonight is one of those times! I have my right wrist splinted right now, and that can interfere with model building just a bit! Advil to the rescue as well!

Still managed a few things before I had to quit. Some of this work was done over the last few days.

Adding some PE parts to the seat: as you can tell, this seat is far from accurate for an ACES II ejection seat. Detail parts do help though, even if it just looks wrong to me.....

That bulkhead behind the seat is not cemented yet and still needs a bit of sizing to get it where I want it. Again, not perfect as it doesn't cover the whole opening, but still better than the big hole that was there. I also took some artistic liberty with that plain rear deck. I couldn't find any photos of the A-10's rear deck, so I used some styrene bits and some imagination to add some interest there. The mechanism for the canopy comes up though that big opening, so that won't be visible. Then I painted it with Testors semi-gloss black. I have become addicted to that color now as it seems to be a bit more in scale for 1/72 scale interior part to me. Flat black tends to be too grainy to me at this scale..

Still a few parts to add here, then maybe I will do some work on those other projects.

The other thing I am trying to do is shave down that over-scale control stick. I popped it loose from the cockpit and filed it down a bit. I have to be careful as it gets too thin, it will break.

Hate to hear about your bouts of pain Jimbot, but, you are making some great progress all the same!!

jimbot58

Well, first off I'm bummed out because Wed. night I was so tired, I came home and just went straight to bed! Some evening that was! Tonight was no better: When I was examined by Doctors back when I had that fall where I cracked my ribs and sprained my wrists, they said I had a lot of wear and tear and damage to my hands and wrists...and arthritis as well. Sometimes the arthritis is just going to flair up and be a bear for one reason or another, and tonight is one of those times! I have my right wrist splinted right now, and that can interfere with model building just a bit! Advil to the rescue as well!

Still managed a few things before I had to quit. Some of this work was done over the last few days.

Adding some PE parts to the seat: as you can tell, this seat is far from accurate for an ACES II ejection seat. Detail parts do help though, even if it just looks wrong to me.....

That bulkhead behind the seat is not cemented yet and still needs a bit of sizing to get it where I want it. Again, not perfect as it doesn't cover the whole opening, but still better than the big hole that was there. I also took some artistic liberty with that plain rear deck. I couldn't find any photos of the A-10's rear deck, so I used some styrene bits and some imagination to add some interest there. The mechanism for the canopy comes up though that big opening, so that won't be visible. Then I painted it with Testors semi-gloss black. I have become addicted to that color now as it seems to be a bit more in scale for 1/72 scale interior part to me. Flat black tends to be too grainy to me at this scale..

Still a few parts to add here, then maybe I will do some work on those other projects.

The other thing I am trying to do is shave down that over-scale control stick. I popped it loose from the cockpit and filed it down a bit. I have to be careful as it gets too thin, it will break.

Great work once again Jim, especially for 1/72 scale!     

I hope your arthritis pain goes away soon.  That must make it very difficult to model.

Ken