mareku Posted April 13, 2010 Share Posted April 13, 2010 That is a stuning model work It looks realy great :blink: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Wolstenholme Posted April 28, 2010 Author Share Posted April 28, 2010 (edited) ...... and fully re-instated, at least the OWTs don’t now detract from the model. http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r18/jwolst/Lightning/150.jpg The penultimate problem of this build relates to the canopy glazing. There is a material lining around the side windows which is most noticeable. A solution to the problem eventually came to me which I think looks realistic. I wasn’t too keen on the use of decal strips. It is fortuitous there is a plastic frame which fits inside the clear canopy, thereby providing an edge*. I should say that I polish my canopies with Bare Metal Plastic Polish, so that I can use CA without fogging. By carefully inlaying polyester white cord, to this edge*, cut to length (using Zuron cutters rather than scissors) and positioned with very small pieces of Tamiya tape, I then applied minimum CA using a SM 10A blade. I first tried using a shaped toothpick; bad news as this sticks to the cord straight away. So here it is with all additional detail added – canopy jack, mirror, IFF aerial lead and some connector lines. http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r18/jwolst/Lightning/151.jpg http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r18/jwolst/Lightning/152.jpg The final problem of this build comes in the form of corrections are needed to the 11 Sq decals on the fin. They will still not be 100% accurate, but this will remove the really obvious discrepancies. My hand is not steady enough for hand painting, but I do have a plan. Nearly there Tim, shake a leg. BFN John Edited February 16, 2021 by John Wolstenholme c Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tripio Posted April 28, 2010 Share Posted April 28, 2010 John, it can't be a problem for a master modeller you are. You are there. Keep on posting the pictures,please. Very inspiring work. Regards,Laz from Hungary Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chuck540z3 Posted April 28, 2010 Share Posted April 28, 2010 Like everyone here I've come to expect 9.99/10 work from you. This build is already an "11". Can't wait to see final pics! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TomTheTomcat Posted April 28, 2010 Share Posted April 28, 2010 THIS IS JUST AWESOME ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mareku Posted April 28, 2010 Share Posted April 28, 2010 Fantastic work and fantastic looking model :D Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Marcel111 Posted April 29, 2010 Share Posted April 29, 2010 Wow! I'm really excited to see your Lightning so close to being finished. I'm short on superlatives to describe the model. Must say I lost you a little on your canopy technique, but the result looks perfect! Marcel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Timvkampen Posted May 1, 2010 Share Posted May 1, 2010 (edited) John, Jim Peters would have been proud...the end is in sight without collapsing! Your attention to detail is really something else! You understand you have to appear in www.afvmodeller.com with this gem! T Edited May 1, 2010 by Timvkampen Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Wolstenholme Posted May 2, 2010 Author Share Posted May 2, 2010 (edited) Thanks one and all for your continued interest and comments. You will be relieved to know this is finally the end of the road. [A] Comparing the kit decals with the actual aircraft they are quite different in the following aspects: - white and yellow outline shapes of wings and tail feathers - no evidence of red - markings to necks are a zig-zag, not short horizontal lines. [C] traced the decal outline and overlaid on actual emblem to mark correct shape/position of wings etc. 0.25mm card templates made for cutting masking shapes 1 – 6. [D] after first removing all unwanted white and yellow lines using black satin enamel paint (can remove if necessary without affecting the Future coating/decal), masked for spraying wing outlines, then [E] masked for tail feathers and neck ‘bands’ [6] [F] completed emblem, with beak, tongue and talons painted freehand. Whilst still not totally accurate it looks more like the real thing. http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r18/jwolst/Lightning/153a.jpg All that remains is for a bright calm day to take some photos outside. Yep, the best bit! See you then. John Edited February 16, 2021 by John Wolstenholme c Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 Brilliant ! Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mareku Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 With Gregg here Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Timvkampen Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 I rest my case and concur with you guys!!! Brilliant! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Wolstenholme Posted May 12, 2010 Author Share Posted May 12, 2010 Hi Gregg, mareku and thanks for your representation Tim. Finally, got some days where it wasn’t raining, dull or too windy. Anxious to avoid a Geedub F-16 incident. Model has been made so as to display in 4 different configurations, so ended up shooting ~130 photos with bracketing of exposure and fill-in flash. All I have to do now is sort/dump 2/3rds of them and I’m there. Free, free at last In case you're interested this is my high tec photo set-up. John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tripio Posted May 12, 2010 Share Posted May 12, 2010 Come on John,more pictures please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are there... Regards,Laz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aigore Posted May 12, 2010 Share Posted May 12, 2010 Nice photo set up You´re almost home now! Such a stunner! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dodgem37 Posted May 12, 2010 Share Posted May 12, 2010 John, You are one steely eyed missle man. Thanks for a great show. And I do mean great. I try to not miss your posts as they are truly informative. You never cease to amaze me with your problem-solving techniques and solutions. Outstanding effort. Outstanding job. Many thanks. Sincerely, Mark Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Timvkampen Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 John, I like the set up. Gives you plenty of room to take pictures from every angle and the blue background color makes the jet stand out considerably. Are you planning a book :-) (at least an article in AFV Modeller??). Am struggling with my project as I have to redo the props on my babies. Well, I'll get there this year :-). Best Tim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Wolstenholme Posted May 13, 2010 Author Share Posted May 13, 2010 (edited) So finally, here are the 4 display configurations: [A] Devoid of missiles and OWTs. Fairings fitted to missile stub pylons and with ‘panels’ fitted to wings the OWT mounting holes are barely visible. http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r18/jwolst/Lightning/A3a.jpg http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r18/jwolst/Lightning/A4a.jpg Ferry configuration (‘whifer’ for this scheme) http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r18/jwolst/Lightning/B1a.jpg http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r18/jwolst/Lightning/B3a.jpg [C] In Squadron service. http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r18/jwolst/Lightning/C4a.jpg http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r18/jwolst/Lightning/C5a.jpg http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r18/jwolst/Lightning/C7a.jpg Edited February 16, 2021 by John Wolstenholme c Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Wolstenholme Posted May 13, 2010 Author Share Posted May 13, 2010 (edited) [D}Everything ‘hung on’; my preferred ‘whifer’. http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r18/jwolst/Lightning/D4a.jpg http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r18/jwolst/Lightning/D5a.jpg http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r18/jwolst/Lightning/D8a.jpg http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r18/jwolst/Lightning/D10a.jpg http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r18/jwolst/Lightning/D13a.jpg http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r18/jwolst/Lightning/D15a.jpg http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r18/jwolst/Lightning/D17a.jpg Some miscellany: http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r18/jwolst/Lightning/E1a.jpg http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r18/jwolst/Lightning/F1a.jpg Thanks to Harold for the tip to use lead foil for the leg restraints. When you consider the fact that this model was produced as a private venture, as a vac-form kit, without the sophistication of CAD and injection moulding, it bears testament to what was achieved by Frank Brown. I may have added the detail, but you cannot help but admire the accuracy of shape, without the use of methods available to the modern kit manufacturer. I started the Echelon kit when I became aware of the Trumpeter future release, thinking this would diminish my enthusiasm for the vac-form kit. Sadly, the injection moulded kit fell short of the mark, but it gave me the impetus to go the whole hog with Echelon. My thanks go to Ian Black, Stewart Scott, Phartycroc and John Ward for technical and/or photographic assistance, with special thanks to Hugh Trevor and Jim Feartherby for their help above and beyond. Thanks guys. Thanks also to those of you who took the time and supported me on a journey which I could not have foreseen at the outset. So, was it worth all the effort? There were times of frustration, things not working out on the first or second go, but it has tested/developed my skills in scratch building. Being a marathon task it also developed my endurance. I think I even had some new ideas related to scribing techniques, but who would say! I know I cannot improve on this Lightning and I don’t have enough modelling years left in me, what with other projects waiting in the loft, to do another. In any event the answer is an emphatic yes, you betcha MaRiO FDZ. The End. Edited February 16, 2021 by John Wolstenholme c Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gambler Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 Hey John, I haven't commented in the thread for a fair while, but I have been watching your stunning work take shape with each update. What an example of first rate modelling you have shown us here!......from start to finish is pure modelling talent. Absolutetly gorgeous build mate! Cheers, Jeff. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pilatus Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 I'm almost without any word to say. Great work, great plane, great theard. You are the best!!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mareku Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 Realy stunning looking model Fantastic modeling work all over. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aigore Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 John, You have taken us on a fantastic journey through this build, I am humbled by your patience and modelling skill in this undertaking. I thank you for showing us every step on the way and you have tought and inspired me in countless ways. Thank you! BTW the model is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Timvkampen Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 John, Wonderful photos. What camera do you use? I have to agree with all the others that this build was worth watching and I learned a lot. Your techniques have made me more courageous and critical to try out new methods and tools. Thanks!!! And now of course the big question: what will be your next project?????? Best Tim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Two Mikes Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 John, First off, thank you for taking us on this journey! Your model is THE testament of what patience, skills and the willingness to try new techniques can achieve in our hobby. Your model is not just spectacular but is easily in the top 5 models I have ever seen built. Thank you once again for allowing us to see how it all came to being. All the best, Mike Reeves PS.....I am actually sort of sad it is finished!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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