Airfix English Electric Lightning F.1/F.1A

Phil M
Great work! Nice subject!

Mr James
Thanks Phil. I wish I knew about Alclad metal paint, levelling thinners and the like, before I started. Still learning and this website is a great place for it.

Al
This is an outstanding build - love the panel lines and realistic metallic sheen. Good job.

Mr James
Thanks Al
Praise indeed coming from your good self.

Guy Rump
Great job, congrats! 👍

Mr James
Cheers Guy

Nathan Dempsey
Inspiring build. I literally had to go rummage through the stash to find my kit to look at it.

Mr James
Cheers Guy, Cheers Nathan. I'll use the proper paints and techniques on the next NMF aircraft. I think the X-11 I used is a bit grainy, unless it was how I sprayed it.

Neil
Lovely work on an iconic British aircraft. Finish looks great to me! 👍👏

Nathan Dempsey
X-11? I'm even more impressed. I used that on a Sea Fury and it came out looking a bit cartoon like compared to your finish.

Mr James
Well thank you Neil and Nathan. Maybe I'm more critical after seeing the work you guys put out

Shar Dipree
Gerat Electric Lightning. 👍
Impressive result considering the color (Tamiya X-11) used.

Mr James
Thanks Shar. I tried to polish it as much as possible

Rui S
Great paint Job & weathering 👍

Mr James
Thankyou Rui

Shar Dipree
Hi Mr. James. I love using tamiya paints but i can warmly recommend the metallic colors from the AK Xtreme Metal-Series. They are great for airbrushing and the metallic effect is extremely good, in my opinion.
-> SCM Search: ak Xtreme Metal
For exampel: P-47M Thunderbolt | Album by Shar (1:72)

Eric Thornton
That's a nice build, love the marking on this one. 👍👏 I second what Shar says. AK Xtreme metal paints are super easy to use straight out of the bottle. Just make sure you have a nice coat of primer as a base. Alclads are also nice just a bit more delicate.

Mr James
Thanks Shar. You're right, the P47 looks fantastic. I like the way Tamiya paints spray; brushing not so much. 🙂 As I said, I wish I new about these paint options before.

Mr James
Thankyou Eric. I wish I'd come to this site earlier. The advice from more experienced builders shortens the learning process.

Shar Dipree
With what you have achieved with the x-11 on the Lightning, you don't need to worry. The result is great. No idea how you did it.

Mr James
You're too kind Shar. I have bad memories of rubbing, touching up and more rubbing. You can see the grainy effect more underneath. But thanks to your recommendation, never again. 🙂

Bernd Grün
Great looking Lightning! Congrats, mate. 👌

Mr James
Thank you for that Bernd

Mr James
Well thank you Markus

Mark Sherwood
Well executed. In some aspects it looks like 1/1 🤟🥸🤘

Jennifer Franklin
Very nice work; looks like it was a challenge.

Mr James
Ha, thanks Mark. Trick photography 😉.
The build was easy enough Jennifer, the metal finish was indeed challenging🙄 I'll know better next time 😉

J35J
Great work with the metal finish!👍🏻

Michael Kohl
Really like how this turned out.

Mr James
Thanks J35J and Michael. I'm surprised of the lovely comments on the metal finish. Maybe I'm too critical of how I think its turned out 🙂

Nathan Dempsey
You definitely are too critical of yourself, but I guess we all are with our own builds 🤣. Seriously though that is the best metal finish I've seen using Tamiya X-11.

Rando
Photos 6 and 7 especially look like a real aircraft!

Neuling
Yes, Rando. And I like the finish and weathering.

Mr James
I agree Nathan, we're all probably a bit too critical of our own builds 🙂. It might be the hours we pour over every detail and finish, and are still not happy... 😉 And thanks again for your comments.

Mr James
Ha.. Thanks Rando. I got lucky with the light 🙂

Mr James
Thanks Neuling. Much appreciated comments from your good self 🙂

Dom SAVE
What a beautiful result, thanks for sharing !

Mr James
Thanks Dom. Glad you like it 🙂

George Williams
I don't usually comment on military models but this is just too good to miss, a lovely Lightning.

Mr James
Hi praise indeed George. Thanks so much for your comment.

Tommy Agne
Top work 👍👍👍.

Mr James
Thanks Tommy, much apricated from your good self 🙂

CaptGPF
Agree with everyone - the build and weathering is fantastic!

Mr James
Thanks for your kind comments CaptGPF.

BetterTimes-Henry
Agree with everyone, Mr James. Top notch Electric ⚡️!!! Love the metal finish and some panel variations. I've always wanted to build this aircraft, never lucky enough to find the kit for a reasonable price. Maybe Airfix will some day re-issue it.

Mr James
Thanks Henry. I paid 26 quid for off Amazon in 2020. I see its not listed anymore and some are going for 125 quid... :-0 What a shame.

Stephen Lesley
Ooh Aah Eee! A Lightning. One of my three favourite British jets, along with the Canberra and Buccaneer. My favourite quote from an RAF pilot about the Lightning-"I was in complete and absolute control of the machine right up to the point when I released the brakes"...

Mr James
I agree with your fav list Stephen, along with the V bombers. Excellent pilot quote btw 🙂