Anthony in NZ

Completely stunning and gorgeous! I love your attention to the details that only an engineer would know, spot and look out for. Fascinating. I think this will be the definitive Lightning build when done, just superb to follow Cheers Anthony

Hahaha, I probably do already! Seriously though, this is totally unbelievable skills in action. I have read and re-read this update about 3 times and studied all your details. The level of detail going in is astonishing and I had no idea this was possible at such a level and on one of my all time favorite airframes....spectacular and humbling all at once! Now enough of the mushy stuff....cant have you feeling too big headed back to it.... Cheers Anthony

Thanks Kev, loving your airliner builds atm by the way! Thank you Niels! Really appreciate it LOL I dont think I will know what to do with myself once it is finished. Actually I am kinda hoping the Icelandic Fine Arts FA.2 Seaharrier or my good friend Tony's 1/32 Wasp he's printing me... Although I should finish some stuff too lol Hey Matt, yeah the new leg looks awesome dosent it? I've done a few structural 'tests'and it is pretty darn strong, I have no worries it wont hold the weight of the kit Thanks buddy! means a lot coming from you Thank you sir! It's not without your help and photo's we could get it so accurate! Thanks John, I am super pleased you are still hanging in here! I am still using your Phantom for some of my refs Thank you! Yes that noseleg is is very different when you know. Thanks Chris! Really appreciate it my friend Small update tonight Undercoat of silver done before a little more tidy up on stuff you just wont probably see On with some colour, sheesh that red is bright! Now toned down with an oil wash and flat coat. This area got quite oily and sooty, considering how filthy the belly of the Phantom got it probably should be worse, but I didnt go too overboard On to something else now, running out of things to do before paint! Cheers team, appreciate your feedback and likes Anthony

Thanks guys, really appreciate it! Well I have actually been steady with progress, but with such things I didnt really have much to show until today A package arrived in the mail from Kerry! Somewhere in here is an FG.1 leg test print! I know that because I have seen this.... So I set about trimming and found this inside Now for those who cant remember, the reason for the completely new leg is because it is very different to a std Phantom NLG. Aside from the double extension with extra scissor link, the actual oleo itself is of a bigger dia and rakes rearward He nailed it.... a perfect fit! An overall shot showing the rearward rake, only done by eye, not actually glued in properly of course. I have started testing all the dimensions and so far so good! Also an area that needed attention was the aux air doors top and lower. Both sets needed scratchbuilding. First up are the lower ones, just basically layer upon layer of plasticard and raised rivet decals, followed by a layer of Mr Surfacer Raised rivets and extra details on the other side.... And a comparison on the other side with the kit ones. The kit ones are smaller and further back. Apologies for the lack of updates, had a bit going on. But still not stopped on this...she is still alive! Cheers guys and thanks for stopping by Anthony

Oh Iain I am sooo pleased to see you working on this!! I was just looking over mine again the other day and admiring the beautiful engines Ladislav did for us. Did you get an Orion? It is mighty impressive in 1/32...if you dont have one....you know you need one Lol Great update

Thanks Kev! Sheesh 9 years ago I started this...where has the time gone. This GB is the first ever I have done and is just the motivation I need to finish it. So thanks again and appreciate letting me join. So I have just moved it off the SOD and she has not fared overly well, some parts are broken, and there is a thick layer of dust all over her. Thankfully I covered up the cockpit parts with cling film so it is still good in there. I am not sure everything is there as I kind of resigned it to the parts bin and have given spares away through the traders board thinking I would never finish her. So time for a clean and inventory and an update soonish. Oh and for those worried, I am working on the Phantom whilst I wait for epoxies to dry etc. I think it will be good for me to be able to chop n change. Cheers Anthony

Yes all very interesting discussion. I know extensive discussion has taken place about either a full kit or conversion. My personal thoughts would be for a conversion for the Tamiya kit myself personally. A lot has already been designed but I totally see the risks involved on making even a conversion for a smaller 'cottage industry' company. There is still a HUGE amount of time and effort required to just do the CAD, let alone test printing, redesigning and reprinting again etc. Then find there is a kit coming....that's still a huge investment when you would probably not sell many and could have made something that brings in money. Personally I dont think a kit is coming anytime soon(as much as I would like one), and there are a lot of us wanting Brit Tooms now. I think maybe a new fuse compatable with the existing Tamiya kit and if you have already got a lot of bits already CAD'ed up then that will save time too . I dont know, and it's not my money in time etc. All I can say is that I am here to help if anyone needs it because, as you all know to do properly they are a completely different beast that looks like a Phantom. My vote would be a printed conversion for now to capture the market gasping for one. Just my 2cents worth Cheers Anthony

Oh my goodness, that is just totally gorgeous!!!

*Sigh* yup I remember that...can only hope it still comes about. The 3D printed parts looked really nice in there too. LOL thanks for the reminder

Oh that does look really nice....I especially love the stressed skin effect which is so prominent on Japanese airframes Any update on the PV-1 Ventura?

Look after yourself buddy! I will keep an eye out too. Nice having you still active on the forum as well

Oh Greg! Now we're talking mate! I absolutely LOVE the FA.2, probably my fav variant Harrier ever. I am still in disbelief there is still no decent kit of this generation harrier available in 1/32....anyhoo, I digress. Nice clean work so far my friend, I will be 'glued'to this one for sure....awesome start. Man that's going to be impressive in 1/24! Cheers Anthony

Even I would be up for this, I like the silver idea myself. How about a kit we started 25years ago? (I'd easy find something LOL)

Oh yeah, just the encouragement I need! I'll finish my Phantom and you this Spitfire and maybe we can do a double build? LOL yes I might need an application to do the same!

Oh absolutely mate! This build would be nothing without the help of a lot of other people. I cant thank enough Kerry, @Derek B, @Gene K, @Greg W, @scjh, @Iain in the early days....... my goodness I am too scared to do a list because the help has been endless, even just the encouragement from people like yourself, @wunwinglow, @airscale, @chuck540z3, @Ali62, @Cees Broere, @Marcel111, @vvwse4, @Spooky56, @Starfighter, @AlbertD, @DonH, @Troy Molitor, @Tony T, @scvrobeson @Kagemusha, @LSP_Kevin, @mozart, @spyrosjzmichos, @Barry, @GMK, @Chek, @jenshb, @Jet Passion, @Turecki, @Landrotten Highlander, @IainM, @jimbo59, @Rainer Hoffmann, @geedubelyer, @easixpedro, @D.B. Andrus, @MDuv, @thierry laurent......honestly these are the names that just quickly pop into my head, but I know that as soon as I hit submit I am going to remember more, and I am going to feel terrible about that! I honestly appreciate everyones help and support, as well as a bunch of guys over at Britmodeller! And sadly, Mike @seiran01, it's all his fault! He sold me the kit and conversion......and mate, I thought we were friends! Sorry if I missed anyone out, I hate making lists like that because you invariably set yourself up to fall by forgetting someones valuable comment at just the right time, or part supplied to make my life a little easier. THis hobby has changed for sure, but only for the good! Now I need to hurry up and finish this so you guys get a state of the art Brit Toom in 1/32! Cheers Anthony