Cutting Edge Modelworks

1/48 English Electric (BAC) Lightning decal sheet

Product # CED48077 for $10.99

Product Article by Steve Bamford on Feb 20 2004

 

 

 

 

Also available in 1/72

This new decal sheet from Cutting Edge Modelworks includes markings for nine different 1/48 English Electric (BAC) Lightnings.  The recommended kit for these decals is the 1/48 Airfix kit.

The first Lightning is an F.3 #XR713/C with 111 Squadron out of RAF Wattisham in 1965.  This aircraft is in a overall bare metal scheme with flat back on the whole tail and along the top of the fuselage including the canopy framing and anti-glare panel in front of the 
windscreen.  Markings include black lightning bolts with yellow borders through the roundel on the side of the nose.  There's a yellow triangular flash behind the canopy and the tail has a large yellow section with an ancient cross with 3 traditional Middle Eastern Swords as well as the letter "C" on the tail.  This cross sits over two traditional European swordsBlack serial number of rear fuselage is XR713.
 

The second Lightning is an F.1A #XM166/G with the "Tigers" Aerobatic Team with 74 Squadron out of RAF Coltishall in 1962.  This aircraft is in a overall bare metal scheme with flat back on the whole tail and along the top of the fuselage

 including the canopy framing and anti-glare panel in front of the windscreen.  This aircraft also has dark natural metal gun covers on the nose.  Markings include a yellow Tigers head on the black tail as well as the letter "G" on the tail.  There is black and yellow triangular Tiger stripes on both sides of the roundel on the nose.  The leading edge of the tail is baremetal.  Black serial number of rear fuselage is XM166. 
 

The third Lightning is an F.3 #XP749/BK2 with 11 Squadron out of RAF Binbrook in 1984.  

The paint scheme consists of dark Sea Grey on the upper surfaces and medium Sea Grey on the underside.  Roundels are the small lo-viz variety.  On the tail is yellow and black squadron insignia of 2 black birds of prey.  White letters on the tail are BK2 and white serial number of rear fuselage is XP749.  On the underside there is a fuel tank in natural metal (silver).
 

The fourth Lightning is an F.6 #XR769/B with 74 Squadron out of RAF Tengah, Singapore in 1970.  This aircraft is in a overall bare metal scheme with flat back on the whole tail and 

as well as the canopy framing and anti-glare panel in front of the windscreen.  Markings include a small yellow Tigers head on the black tail and black and yellow triangular Tiger stripes on both sides of the roundel on the nose.  Yellow letter on the tail are B and black serial number of rear fuselage is XR769.  The leading edge of the tail is baremetal.  This plane has a refuelling probe.
 

The fifth Lightning is an F.53 #53-689/J with 2nd Squadron, Royal Saudi Air Force Tabuk, Saudi Arabia in 1980.  This aircraft is in a overall bare metal scheme with flat back on the canopy framing and anti-glare panel in front of the windscreen.  Markings include standard 

Saudi type markings....some in Arabic and the classical green and white Saudi national insignia roundels containing 2 tradition Saudi Swords crossed over a palm tree.  The black letter on the tail is J and black serial number of rear fuselage is 53-689.  Stenciling is in English and Arabic.  This plane has a refuelling probe.
 

The sixth Lightning is an F.3 #XP751/B with 74 Squadron out of RAF Wattisham in 1965.  This aircraft is in a overall bare metal scheme with flat back on the whole tail and along the 

top of the fuselage including the canopy framing and anti-glare panel in front of the windscreen.  Markings include a yellow Tigers head on the black tail and black and yellow triangular Tiger stripes on both sides of the roundel on the nose.  There is a yellow letter "B" on the tail and the black serial number on the rear fuselage is XP751.   
 

The seventh Lightning is an F.6 #XR763/B with 11 Squadron out of RAF Binbrook in 1972.  This aircraft is in a overall bare metal scheme with flat back on the canopy framing 

and anti-glare panel in front of the windscreen.  Markings include 2 black ravens on the tail and black and yellow triangular markings on both sides of the nose roundels.  There is a black letter "B" on the tail and the black serial number on the rear fuselage is XR763.   This plane has a refuelling probe. 
 

The eighth Lightning is an F.6 #XS903/BA with 11 Squadron out of RAF Binbrook in 1988.  This aircraft is Medium Sea Grey on the top surfaces with flat back on the whole tail and along the top of the fuselage including the canopy framing and anti-glare panel in front of the 

windscreen.  The side of the fuselage and underside is Barley Grey.  Markings include 2 black ravens on the tail and lo-viz roundels.  There is a white letters "BA" on the tail and the white serial number on the rear fuselage is XS903.   This plane has a refuelling probe as well as a natural metal replacement panel on the underside.
 

The ninth Lightning is an F.3 #XR725/BA with 11 Squadron out of RAF Binbrook in 1988.  This aircraft is Medium Sea Grey on the top surfaces with flat back on the whole tail and along the top of the fuselage including the canopy framing and anti-glare panel in front of the 

windscreen.  The side of the fuselage and underside is Barley Grey.  Markings include 2 black ravens on yellow circle with yellow pennants on the tail and lo-viz roundels.  There is a white letters "BA" on the tail and the white serial number on the rear fuselage is XR725.  This plane has a refuelling probe.

The decals are beautifully printed and the clear carrier film is trimmed very close to the crisply printed colored areas.  The colours look good and will cover very well.  I particularly like the selection of noseart as well as the Saudi aircraft .  

The instructions are clear and includes 3 view drawings and an extra page of text instruction is included with a small bit of info about all four planes as well as helpful tips for decal application. 

A very nice decal sheet and highly recommended for all the builders of British jets or people with an interest in the Royal Saudi Air Force.

I would like to thank Cutting Edge Modelworks for providing me with this review sample.

Steve

Click on images below to see larger images of the instruction sheets

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford