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I'm going to weigh in on this one with my Thunderbirds version of the Lightning II. I've opened the box and done some prep work on the fuselage but haven't applied a drop of glue yet. This GB should keep me focused during the summer but I bet most of my building time will start in the Fall. Bet this plane is going to be popular. The kit is really sweet so far and looks like it will go together cleanly.

 

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Edit-updated pic from lost pb link.

Edited by themongoose
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U'r not fear guys... 2 of my most favorite planes in 1 gr.build... I think I'll frequent this topic more often than evrthng else here.... :P if only I could join with the strike eagle... But...I know I know... Okey okey...

 

Let's make it into a wonderful Lightning 2!!! I'll follow with pleasure!

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Let's see if smugmug works. I started putting pieces together this weekend, some more sanding to soften edges, and assembling the cockpit. Really taking my time trying to do something better than last time.

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Edited by themongoose
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  • 2 weeks later...

Here's a few of my cockpit progress so far. I'm hoping you can see the pattern i put on the seat. I layed cheesecloth over the satin black and sprayed dark grey through it to creat the cloth look. Also worked for the carbon fiber look on the sides. Added some scrathbuild elements based on pictures of the A model I could find. Sometimes hard to tell whether it's the simulator or not until you've looked at a couple hundred lol.

Lastly I finally found a closeup of the right side behind the cockpit to verify the lightning bolt pattern isn't there. I sanded that off flush and now i think the fuselage is done on top.

 

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  • 3 weeks later...

Trying Smugmug. Here's a pic of the sink holes in the intakes...hopefully I can get back on this over the weekend. Summer has been the time for the beach and a lot of yard work this year. I got a few airbrush lessons at the Nats so I plan to redo some of the cockpit, especially the oxygen bottle which I'm embarrassed to post until I redo it now.

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Edited by themongoose
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Here's a quick progress pic. I'm about ready to clean up the pilot now and paint him in Thunderbirds uniform. I'm not excited about the detail painting here yet. Posted a few more in the tips and techniques section so if you've got some thoughts on how I can improve let me know

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  • 2 weeks later...

I've made some more progress and am almost done with the office. Made good use of the air brush training I got at the IPMS Nationals. This is all vallejo paints. Previously i would have used a whole cup of paint but now I'm down to 4 drops. I have much more control now that I'm not using the airbrush as a spay can lol.

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Getting closer to closing up the fuselage. I had trouble with the sides of the fuselage that make the inner side of the intake trunks. When trying to sand the seems down I broke each one of them off in turn. I ended up using 5 minute epoxy on these. Probably better as it closed up some of the gaps.

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I took a different approach to the intake tracts then what I've seen so far. Everyone says they don't line up at the inlet. So I started at the inlet and worked my way back. To get them to line up they won't come together in the rear but since you can't see any of this I don't think it really matter. Much better to minimize the filler inside the inlets.

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The exhaust nozzle are junk if you ever image someone looking at your model, although I'd argue I wouldn't be happy just knowing they looked like this. I don't think it's possible to get every sink out of these. I did start to thin out the turkey feathers though while I was trying to make them look better.

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That's pretty much it for now. I've forced myself to let it all sit and dry before I touch it again. I need to go buy more sanding sticks in the nail polish aisle...

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Smart approach with the intakes, i'll have to remember this. That tailpipe really bothers me, overly thick and lacking detail. I want to start on the build, but that tailpipe really bugs me....even more than the RAM(?) panels....funny the things that i can't get past...

 

Don

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