This is a great kit. It's very basic but Airfix got it absolutely right. It's a nice easy build, everything fits, the detail level is good, it scrubs up well, there are plenty of livery options, and even mediocre modellers can make a good go of it. It responds well to washes and the decals are good quality. If only the Airfix Buccaneer from the same era had been this good.
Build wise there isn't much to tell on this one. There are mercifully few parts, and the painting is pretty straightforward. Here I've used standard Tamiya aluminium with a dash of grey to mute it. Specialist metal colour paints would look too raw on this, though a good chrome for the nose ring would have been great. The one pictured was sold so I'll try the chrome on the next one I have sitting in the stash.
Though this one is presently discontinued (I think) you can still pick them up for about £40 on Ebay. I think there's a rarity premium because if you have forty quid there are better kits to get, but if you like the Lightning you simply have to build this one. I regret selling this one pictured and my model shelf doesn't look right without it. It's a good companion for the Phantom and Buccaneer.
There's not much to say about this one. It's a nice model of a great aircraft and you shouldn't have any problems with it. Of all the ones I've built lately this was the most stress free and pleasurable.
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