1963 vintage Airfix E.E Lightning F.1A 1/72

[Pellson]

As yet an example of my total inability to focus on one project at a time, when pondering the armament of my Lightning F.2B, I sort of reevaluated the F.6A as well. Given that I'm planning SARH Firestreaks for the F.2B, it seems logically reasonable to use a similar setup also for the F.6A, and as a consequence - here we are. A return to a polished steel intake ring will follow as well.

You cannot view this attachment.

Looking at the two Blue Jay Mk4 versions, it seems as they were very similar internally, i.e moving away from the complicated layout of the old Firestreak, instead using the more natural setup of the Red Top. This opens up not only for a smarter and cheaper missile design, but also for future evolution, such as common engine upgrades etc despite different homing methods and different wing/fin layout. Accordingly, one could also assume this would have lead to reasonably similar performances for speed and range, effectively creating sibling missiles, like many Russian systems.
Also, as a consequence, the two missiles should reasonably look at least somewhat alike, and accordingly, I have coloured them similarly. I think that turned out rather well too. 

You cannot view this attachment.

My intention is to use both types of missiles on both Lightning versions, the F.2B, as previously mentioned, having IR missiles (Blue Jay mk4/Red Top layout) under the outer wings and radar homing rounds (Blue Jay mk4/Firestreak layout) on the fuselage rails.
The F.6A, featuring the later, kinked wings with over-wing drop tanks, will have a second under-wing pylon as well, attached at the same spar as the tank, thus making room for a six-round missile load, in my case, again somewhat inspired from Russia (but most certainly without love) comprising two medium range SARH missiles (Blue Jay mk4/Firestreak layout), two medium range IR missiles (Blue Jay mk4/Red Top layout) and two short range dogfight missiles (AIM-9L).

If I ever get there.. 

Yes, the old Matchbox missiles are rather hideous, but they match each other, at least, so this is what it'll be.

[NARSES2]

I like the projected armament for the F.6A 

[Pellson]

Some minor progress:
The F.6A got her armament today. But it wasn't entirely straightforward.
As the location of the two extra pylons is directly in front of the landing gear troughs, longer missiles easily interfere with the gear retraction cycle, and to solve this, I had to be tad creative. Just moving the missile forward on the pylon didn't feel right, so instead, I decided to shift the missile somewhat outwards, towards the wingtip. Now, just moving the entire pylon would compromise the alignment with the attachment of the overwing drop tank (preferable from a load perspective) and also not solve the interference issue with the landing gear. Instead, I decided to do a somewhat French solution, angling the missile rail outwards, thereby moving the missile out of the way of the landing gear without having to shift the attachment point to the wing. Having made an angled shim and painted it up a bit, I glued the complete assembly on to the previously attached pylon, and I think it works.

Pics will follow.

About the proper subject for this thread, I have painted the undersides of the F.2B in the proper Light Aircraft Grey hue, and more will follow later, looking to create a somewhat darker scheme than used on the RAF Phantoms and interceptor Tornados.
 
But that's for another day. Now - off to sort some logistics for the kids.

[Old Wombat]

Any progress is good, but this sounds effective - So even betterer! 

[Pellson]

Just a quick follow-up on the F.6A armament:

This is where it ended, and I'm sufficiently pleased to keep it this way.

You cannot view this attachment.

Now on to the F.2B that most likely will field two SARH Blue Jay Mk4's on the fuselage pylons, and two IR ones under the wing tips.

[Old Wombat]

It's weird but that image isn't coming up in the post nor if I try opening it in another tab, however I can see the thumbnail if I click on the link (with "Image Not Found" in the main display).

And just as I post that, the image comes up!     

[Old Wombat]

Looking good! 

[PR19_Kit]

Don't the Red Tops get in the way of the landing gear where they are mounted though?

[NARSES2]

Looking good! 

It is indeed 

[zenrat]

 

[Rick Lowe]

  

[Wardukw]

Bloody hell that looks great Pellson 👍 👌
Now it makes me wonder where my one went 

[buzzbomb]

Ok that is loaded for Bear... TU-95 Bear that is 

[Pellson]

Don't the Red Tops get in the way of the landing gear where they are mounted though?

That's why I canted the missile rails outwards.

You cannot view this attachment.

It's a close shave, still, but it should work. 

Thanks for the shoutouts, chaps. Yep. Bear load it is.

[zenrat]

Loaded for Badger just doesn't sound as good does it.