Rockets! Teeny, tiny rockets!

scautomoton · July 08, 2025, 11:47:12 AM

For a non-whif Lightning F.53 build I've been (very slowly) working on, I've printed the 2" Microcell rocket pack. Now, I've searched high and low online and have never found this in 1/72 (or any other scale come to think of it). So here it is!

and here is one of the pods in the middle of having all the individual rockets fitted for display.... With the 4x SNEBs and 4x JL100s its going to be a lot of rockets....

I don't have a picture of the fully finished article because, well, I haven't finished the F.53 yet! However, for anyone interested they're available now at my online store.

Gondor · July 08, 2025, 01:20:52 PM

That looks fantastic. I take it that this is what you're aiming for?

PR19_Kit · July 08, 2025, 02:05:39 PM

As you say, that'll be a first.

I have a vague idea that someone did the Microcell packs for the Sea Vixen, when the only one available was the FROG kit, but I've not actually seen one.

Weaver · July 08, 2025, 02:38:22 PM

Oh hell yes!

The only thing stopping me from ordering a set right now is that tantalizing "coming soon" on the F.53 wing pylons.

How are you going to do the JL100 pods? Print a T-shaped adaptor for somebody else's pods or print the whole thing yourself?

scautomoton · July 08, 2025, 03:00:32 PM

Quote from: Gondor on July 08, 2025, 01:20:52 PMThat looks fantastic. I take it that this is what you're aiming for?

Almost exactly that; G-AXEE at the Paris Air Show to be precise. I'm not looking forward to painting all the rockets laid out in front...... Or the little white stands everything is mounted on. I've already printed out the 540lb bombs and the Universal Twin 7.62mm machine gun pod. The upside down ventral packs will need some time & attention too.

Quote from: Weaver on July 08, 2025, 02:38:22 PMOh hell yes!

The only thing stopping me from ordering a set right now is that tantalizing "coming soon" on the F.53 wing pylons.

How are you going to do the JL100 pods? Print a T-shaped adaptor for somebody else's pods or print the whole thing yourself?

I've got a working twin-stores carrier and underwing pylons which can take any SNEBS or 1000 pounders. As far as the overwing pylons, I've got a T-piece and printed my own JL100s. This was mainly because when I started... er, mumble, mumble 18 months ago mumble mumble... Modelsforsale was out of stock of the OAO stuff from Martin. In the interests of not treading on Martin's toes I'll be selective in what I sell. Probably the underwing pylons and twin-stores carriers.

At the moment I'm trying hard to not touch anything else so I can finally get this one done. Well, maybe with the exception of the X-29 which is similarly sat waiting to be finished.

Thorvic · July 08, 2025, 03:35:03 PM

Looking an awesome addon option, and the diorama with the brochure should be awesome.

Weaver · July 08, 2025, 06:21:36 PM

Quote from: scautomoton on July 08, 2025, 03:00:32 PMI've got a working twin-stores carrier and underwing pylons which can take any SNEBS or 1000 pounders. As far as the overwing pylons, I've got a T-piece and printed my own JL100s. This was mainly because when I started... er, mumble, mumble 18 months ago mumble mumble... Modelsforsale was out of stock of the OAO stuff from Martin. In the interests of not treading on Martin's toes I'll be selective in what I sell. Probably the underwing pylons and twin-stores carriers.

Fair enough. Presumably, if you're doing that layout, you'll be doing a recce pack as well then?

Modelsforsale's website is down completely at the moment.

Weaver · July 08, 2025, 06:26:42 PM

Quote from: Thorvic on July 08, 2025, 03:35:03 PMLooking an awesome addon option, and the diorama with the brochure should be awesome.

192 rockets with the full SNEB+Microcell loadout. That'll change somebody's plans for the day!

What just struck me was to scribe the paving pattern onto a big sheet of clear plastic, then paint the area under the plane, having it fade out to reveal a copy of the brochure cover under the plastic.

PR19_Kit · July 09, 2025, 04:11:35 AM

Quote from: Weaver on July 08, 2025, 06:21:36 PMModelsforsale's website is down completely at the moment.

Ooer, so they are? I may nip round there and see what's what, they're only about 5 miles from my 'country home'

Perhaps they're on holiday?

Weaver · July 09, 2025, 01:14:36 PM

Quote from: PR19_Kit on July 09, 2025, 04:11:35 AM
Quote from: Weaver on July 08, 2025, 06:21:36 PMModelsforsale's website is down completely at the moment.

Ooer, so they are? I may nip round there and see what's what, they're only about 5 miles from my 'country home'

Perhaps they're on holiday?

Give me the impression that they're revamping their website, but who can say?

Gondor · July 09, 2025, 01:21:43 PM

Quote from: Weaver on July 09, 2025, 01:14:36 PM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on July 09, 2025, 04:11:35 AM
Quote from: Weaver on July 08, 2025, 06:21:36 PMModelsforsale's website is down completely at the moment.

Ooer, so they are? I may nip round there and see what's what, they're only about 5 miles from my 'country home'

Perhaps they're on holiday?

Give me the impression that they're revamping their website, but who can say?

I know they have been selling things on eBay recently. I hope it is just a revamp of their website. OGL does business with them, so maybe he knows something?

Weaver · July 09, 2025, 01:22:07 PM

Having conducted an audit of my fairly randomly acquired Lighting bits stash, it turns out that I already have an OaO 2x overwing pylons+4x JL-100s set, and a 2x underwing pylon+4x bombs+SNEB pods set. However I can still certainly use more underwing pylons, so I'm still on for some when they're ready.

Weaver · September 30, 2025, 02:02:43 AM

I just placed an order for two of the Microcell rocket packs and a P.8 conversion.

Gondor · September 30, 2025, 02:32:24 AM

Quote from: Weaver on September 30, 2025, 02:02:43 AMI just placed an order for two of the Microcell rocket packs and a P.8 conversion.

The P.8 conversion is lovely. I have a coupe of them still to finish, they can be found HERE

Weaver · September 30, 2025, 02:53:37 AM

Quote from: Gondor on September 30, 2025, 02:32:24 AM
Quote from: Weaver on September 30, 2025, 02:02:43 AMI just placed an order for two of the Microcell rocket packs and a P.8 conversion.

The P.8 conversion is lovely. I have a coupe of them still to finish, they can be found HERE

I was sorely tempted to put a pair of Colin's VG wings on it, but I think I'll pass, since I like the wingtip missiles. Then again, I also like the idea of painting it anti-flash white and fitting it with a pair of Genies...