The model was made after returning from Saudi Arabia where I travelled over to the Arabian Gulf states and saw this aircraft parked in a hanger ready to take off at a moments notice. I made enquiries about the ownership as I had been at Riyadh airport and seen this particular Lightning in Saudi Air Force markings earlier. I was taken to the house of the local Sheik and he explained that he owned it and was the beginnings of his Sheikdoms Air Force and he had purchased it from a Saudi Defence minister for 18 camels and two dancing girls. I then asked about the curious markings on the plane and again he explained that they were a combination of several insignia and were taken from his family back ground, it seems his father although a true Arab had travelled quite a bit and he met his mother, a Portuguese woman in Spain and they had a Marriage ceremony in Germany where "he" was later conceived. A few months later he was born in Jordan while on a visit from Syria and that is the origin of the Markings. I next asked about the colour scheme which was very appropriate for the local terrain, ah! he replied whilst I was on a trip to Europe I visited England (A lovely country you have I might add) and there I met the boss of the Compucolour paints company and after a few large wines (he wouldn't accept dancing girls) he supplied large tins of the paint for my airmen to paint the machine in these lovely colours. 

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After these exciting revelations I headed back to my base at Yenbu and found I had some leave due so I flew back to London and after a couple of days rest I built this model while all the info was fresh in my mind, of course I used the then brand new Compucolour Paints to be as authentic as possible.
This is the first time these photos have been published as I was asked not to divulge too much info at the time, although several decal Manufacturers have asked for details of the markings with a view to producing sheets for the Matchbox kit.

Ted

Drop by Ted's Website to see more of his models.  Ted Taylor's Modelworks