LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE

Jen Wright ‘brings the thunder’ to Airfix’s re-released 1/72 Lightning F.6

This engine set was supplied by CMK (www.cmkkits.com). Item 7312 is an engine set, nominally for the F.2A but designed for the Airfix kit. Included is a resin engine plug, engine bay sidewall detail, forward and aft closure plates, an engine bay cover and a bonus nose avionics bay.

Removal of the relevant area of the fuselage was required to fit CMK’s engine set. The panel line used can be seen on the unmodified fuselage part. A razor saw was used to deepen the engraving progressively, until it was possible to flex the panel free.

English Electric’s Lightning…surely an aircraft that needs no introduction, does it? While hunting for inspiration to form a suitable title for this article I happened upon this quote: “No mortal eye has ever fully seen a flash of lightning, for no matter how firmly we look, our eyes are sure to be dazzled.” This comment by Berthold Auerbach really sums up the nature of the aircraft, reeking as it does with raw power and the very essence of speed. For me, the Lightning was etched into consciousness from early years attending air shows with family; memories of noisy arrowheads ripping the skies asunder before disappearing vertically into the heavens are not easily forgotten.