The English Electric Lightning was a supersonic jet fighter aircraft of the Cold War era. It was designed and manufactured by English Electric, who were subsequently integrated into the unified British Aircraft Corporation, after which point the aircraft was marketed as the BAC Lightning. The Lightning was the only all-British Mach 2 fighter aircraft and was the first aircraft in the world capable of supercruise.
The Lightning F.2A were F.2s upgraded to near F.6 standard and featuring Avon 211R engines, retained ADEN cannon and Firestreak (replaceable Firestreak pack swappable with ADEN Cannon Pack for a total of four ADEN Cannon), arrestor hook and enlarged Ventral Tank for two hours flight endurance. A total of 31 were converted from F.2. Info from Wikipedia
In the box
The six resin parts are packed in a foam backed blister pack. A small set of instructions are stapled to the inside of the outer sleeve.
This set completely replaces Airfix’s cockpit, and installing the tub requires a mounting lug on the air intake to be removed.
Casting as usual from Pavla is superb with no flaws in the resin.
The parts are attached to pour plugs, and apart from the seat which will need a razor saw, the parts can be taken off with a scalpel.
The set comprises of a cockpit tub, instrument panel, instrument hood, ejection seat, control column and rudder pedals.
The cockpit tub is one piece, and features raised detail for the side instrument consoles, and rear cockpit wall detail. Compared to the kits part this is a major improvement.
The ejection seat is also one piece and has a lot more detail then the kits offering. The seat features a moulded on harness, seat cushions which stand proud of the seat frame, and launch guide rails at the rear.
Unless you are going to use the kits pilot figure then this one part that really does need replacing.
The seat can also be purchased separately, as
Item No – S72083
Price - £2.25
The seat can be used in the F-2/3/4/6 variants of the Lightning.
The instrument panel has raised and recessed dials and switches. The detail is more refined on this part compared to the kits offering. The kit uses a decal for the instrument panel, where with the replacement panel you will have to paint it.
The control column and rudder pedals replace the kits rather thick parts.
The instrument hood has a moulded on HUD, and like the rest of the parts is more refined then the kits.
A small set of instructions in the black and white line drawings are supplied and as a build sequence is not really needed, most of the instructions are for painting the various parts.
Generic paint names are given.
Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.
SUMMARY
Highs: Well cast, nice detail, very little surgery required to install.Lows: None found.Verdict: A well detailed cockpit replacement for the Airfix lightning
Our Thanks to Pavla Models! This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.
About Andy Brazier (betheyn) FROM: ENGLAND - SOUTH EAST, UNITED KINGDOM
I started modelling in the 70's with my Dad building Airfix aircraft kits. The memory of my Dad and I building and painting a Avro Lancaster on the kitchen table will always be with me. I then found a friend who enjoyed building models, and between us I think we built the entire range of 1/72 Airfi...
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