XP744, No. 56 Squadron

Ekki
Following!

Rando
Thank you! Hope it turns out nice

Rando
Haven't posted updates on this side project in awhile, been dabbling in painting NMF with Mission Models aluminum and Model Master chrome silver since they're what I have. Masked and painted the black around the canopy and now masking the spine and tail. Instead of using the kit decals, I thought it would be much easier to paint this part white and then mask off the checker pattern on the tail, since I would have to match the spine color with the tail.

Vinny Panda
Great work, the chequers are very impressive.

Robert Podkoński
Great job indeed.

Finn
Looking good, will follow

Rando
Tried applying these black line decals and the first one broke. If there's one takeaway I have from this build, it's always mask & paint instead of decals if you can, it's a million times easier.

Rando
All done, did all the little stencil decals, installed weapons and pitot tube, and she's all ready to be hung up in my daughter's room. Not a serious build but was good practice and I'm proud of the masking I did on the tail.

Robert Podkoński
Good job, Rando!

Neil
Agreed! Very nice work Rando! Super clean masking 👍 I used to love a Lightning at an airshow. It's all about the noise!! 😁

Rando
Thank you Neil and Robert! Yes this was all done on a whim when a friend I was visiting in Texas wanted to build models together, so I hastily picked this one. I love the Lightning too, want to build it in 1/48 someday, but this one was fun for gaining confidence with masking especially. Can't say I will be again using Mission Models for painting full exteriors of a plane though, too brittle even with the poly. Gunze Aq for the red and white was so much better.

J35J
Great paintwork, good job!👍🏻