mozart Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 I'm thinking of making only my second ever foray into building a jet, an E E Lightning since 56 squadron flew them. I've done a bit of searching on the Forum, noted a couple of current WIPs etc and also been through the kit database. I'm watching one for sale on eBay right now for £72.00, the same seller has the Aires cockpit and wheelwells for £18.00 each. I'm aware of rumblings of discontent about the Trumpeter kit so can anybody tell me exactly what's wrong with it please.....I'd hate to spend my meagre funds on something that's "unbuildable"!!!! Max Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunpowder Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 Eveything! Seriously though from what i remember. Fuselage too short , wings in the wrong position , no kink in the leading edge , cockpit too wide , rear fuselage too pinched , undercarriage too long. There may be other things too. mozart, madmusky and phantomdriver 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunpowder Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 (edited) Wheels too thin.... I have built a couple and just added an extra 5mm to the fuselage and shortened the legs. If you know what a lightning really looks like then the model just looks odd. Edited December 22, 2016 by gunpowder mozart and madmusky 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmusky Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 Hi Max mmmm off the top off my head,....cockpit and canopy too fat, belly tank(on both) way off, F6 looks like its pregnant, undercarriage to tall, Iain (32SIG) has started a correction for it, have a search and you'll see what i mean. Its what put me off buying one (i'm a big lightning fan) until he finishes his correction sets. Darren mozart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveoh Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 Mozart I've build quite a few trumpeter lightnings since it was released and yes it is bad in places and over priced. BUT it does build into a lovely model if you are willing to spend a bit of time on it. Aries have brought out a lovely cockpit and wheel Wells that add detail too it but forget the reheat cans they just don't fit. I say go for it it will bring out the modeller in you. Happy modelling Dave paul fisher, etendard and mozart 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunpowder Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 (edited) The F.3 is slightly better than the F.6 due to the fact that the wing has no kink in it. I Have been thinking about this since you posted. When i last built one i was in the habit of correcting everything on models to make them more accurate. Nowadays i just build them. I have given up on trying to make model look "real". I must admit i have more fun just building them from the box. Other trhan the gap in the intake trunking the rest of the kit fits quite well if you do it straight from the box. Edited December 22, 2016 by gunpowder Dragon, Cees Broere and mozart 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mozart Posted December 22, 2016 Author Share Posted December 22, 2016 Thank you for all your responses, much appreciated. If it was a Tiger Moth I would be correcting everything but I'll pretty much build the Lightning OOB because ignorance is bliss! Max Dragon and Rick Griewski 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phantomdriver Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 Eveything! Seriously though from what i remember. Fuselage too short , wings in the wrong position , no kink in the leading edge , cockpit too wide , rear fuselage too pinched , undercarriage too long. There may be other things too. for starters......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phartycr0c Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 (edited) If its any help at all at least the kit resembles a lightning when its built. I built the F3 a couple of years ago. The corrections I made were the 5mm fuselage plug and shortening the main undercarriage legs. I also drilled out any vents where appropriate. These few mods IMHO vastly improve the stance and overall look of the model. If you really want to push the boat out, grab a set of Dave Parkins Flightpath detailing for the lightning, again just adds that little extra. Edited December 22, 2016 by Phartycr0c mozart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunpowder Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 Very nice! Yup those 2 mods make all the difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee White Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 Then, there is always the superb Echelon kit out there, it just takes a bit of searching....... paul fisher 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thierry laurent Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 Then, there is always the superb Echelon kit out there, it just takes a bit of searching....... A bit is somewhat an understatement...! Lee White 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokey Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 Max, the one thing that Trumpeter missed in the F.3 kit is the refueling probe. Haven't started mine since I am still collecting things I need to make a T.5 out of mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveoh Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 A bit is somewhat an understatement...! Thierry are you looking for a echelon lightning? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cees Broere Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 Saw one at Telford for 30 pounds, was tempted, but did not buy it. That was a steal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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