Sword Lightning F.1/F.2 as an F.3

The kit in question... 

Can someone show these "short run" sprue attachment points to Airfix? 

Nice detailing for a short run kit.  

I was starting to build a Lightning F.1, so I made the black cockpit.  

 

I then noticed I could build a Lightning F.3 from this kit, so the cockpit became grey.  

 

I added seatbelts from the spares box since Sword oddly didn't include any.  

 

 

The two odd shaped pieces towards the bottom of the photo are sidewalls that go alongside the seat, but I decided not to add them as they wouldn't be really visible. Several damn near microscopic pieces of the cockpit (levers mostly) were also omitted.  

There are small photoetch pieces under the instrument coaming. You can see them on the right. 

I had originally glued on the double pull rings to the top of the seat, but they fell off and disappeared, so I used the large single pull ring instead.  

I didn't use the foot pedals Sword supplied as they were too fiddly for my old fumble fingers, so I used the ones from an Airwaves set.  

Pinky finger for scale reference.  

Attached the radar screen to the coaming. I primarily use Alene's Tacky Glue for attaching the etch pieces, although in a few places I used superglue.  

Added some etch details to the wheel wells that will never be seen once the kit is completed. I will know it's there, and that's the important part. After attaching both pieces to this well I noticed I had placed them too far down, and had bent one to fit the well contour when it should have been straight. Oh well, like I said, no one will see them. 

Glued the other wing together and noticed I had lost one of the photoetch pieces for the wheel well, but as I said, no one will see it so no harm done.
 

The wings are together and the fuselage is together as well. The only fit issues I experienced were self inflicted.  

Sanded down one wing where the fit was a little off. Again, due to me, not necessarily the kit. 

A shot of the cockpit in the enclosed fuselage. 

Wings are now attached.  

I found a nice reference on Thunder and Lightnings showing me the cable duct placement for the F.3. Right side duct is on.  

Doing some filling and sanding.... 

Still filling and sanding. I found the missing piece of photoetch that I had thought I lost so now both wheel wells match.  

Some sanding has been done.... 

Today was an Anglophile day. I started by watching the F1 race at Silverstone, then worked on my British jet while listening to a great British band, King Crimson, all while wearing this King Crimson shirt.  

 

I think I'm done filling the top side. Once the canopy is attached I will prime and find out.  

I have tacked the canopies in place so I can start priming. 

Priming some the other parts to be attached later.  

Start of priming the fuselage, bottom first so I can check on these seams. They are the most likely to need more work.  

 

 

 

We have been moving at work and I've been a bit tired and burned out when I get home so I have been slacking off regarding my Lightning build. I had to retouch a seam under the nose. 

I also did use a touch of putty where the tail joins the spine.  

The painting process has begun with Hataka paints. I've used Camouflage(Barley) Grey and Medium Sea Grey. I really like these paints.  

Almost done painting the main fuselage. I just need to paint the tail section Camouflage (Barley) Grey.  

Installing the gear and I can't say I'm a fan of how Sword did the nose gear. Adding the nose wheel is way too fiddly for my fumbly old fingers and not much surface for a strong glue bond. 

Took some time away, but I'm back at it. I've weathered and am getting the decals on.  

Decals finished.  

Decals finished. Next up, a clear coat and some more weathering. Then it will be finishing touches to finish it off.  

....and it's done! 

I'm pretty happy with it.