Sword English Electric Lightning T.Mk.4 1:48

Time to measure and mask the outlines for the yellow Trainer Bands using my trusty ‘compass dividers. Prior to adding the masking the NMF received a protective coat of ‘Mr.Superclear Gloss’ Acrylic/Lacquer Varnish applied straight from the ‘rattlecan’.

This coating has no detrimental effect on the ‘metallic appearance’ of the underlying ‘XTREME METAL’ Enamel Paints.

Perhaps an overkill with the industrial quantity of masking but I wanted to minimise the risk of any overspray issues on the NMF and black surfaces.

Likewise on the underside. Of note here, is the earlier fixing of the main undercarriage legs and doors. These were fitted during the construction stage prior to any painting and again as a precaution against any fixing-issues. Although this resulted in more involved masking I’m pleased that I chose that approach.

Some time and effort with the masking work paid dividends and much of the tape was saved for re-use.
‘Mr.Hobby’ Aqueous Acrylics were used for the black and yellow colours each being diluted to a 50/50 ratio with ‘Levelling Thinners’. When fully dried the airframe received a second application of the ‘Mr.Superclear Gloss’ in readiness for the next stages which include Detail-Painting,Decalling and Weathering.

The undercarriage legs and doors survived unscathed during the masking and de-masking process. Time now to give her an identity and commence the decalling stage.

Gaining her identity – The 74 ‘Tiger’ Squadron Markings and Fin Flashes were an option liberated from the Airfix F.1A kit. They have excellent colour-solidity with no dark shading appearing under the white segments. Separate letters and numbers were used to create the serials.

The ‘Sword’-issue kit decals are printed by Techmod. I found them rather a challenge to work with and particularly when applying the wing-lines.They were very ‘flimsy’ and seemed to wrinkle very easily and almost like cellophane.

I thankfully decided beforehand not to use MicroSet solution. I found the best answer was a copious amount of water with a couple of drops of washing-up liquid added.This improved their willingness to manoeuvre.

When settled they responded perfectly with Microsol solution.

The original photo shows the missile-rail mountings attached to the airframe and represented here with. The rails themselves won’t be added.

Patience and the use of my trusty ‘compass dividers’ have hopefully worked with the positioning of the decals.

Taking shape nicely . . .

With all the decals added the model received a second coat of ‘Mr.Superclear’ Gloss Acrylic/Lacquer Varnish applied straight from the rattlecan in readiness for further detail work to be added.

I mainly like to pose canopies in the ‘open’ position but the kit had no provision for doing so as an option. The canopy frame hinges are depicted, so I added and fixed two short 0.6 mm. mounting-pegs centrally on their inner sides with Cyano and drilled two tiny corresponding holes diagonally in the top of the rear cockpit bulkhead so the canopy can be simply slid and fixed in position as a final task.

Conclusion and Gallery…