BAC Lightning Fmk7

[MikoLee]

I recently watched a YouTube video about the EE/BAC Lightning and how it's development was stunted before it reached it's full potential, this had my 'what if' senses buzzing!

An Fmk7 would be a two seater based on the T55 export variant, developments would include a 'Blue Fox' radar set from the Sea Harrier FRS1, repositioning of the pitot to the vertical tail. Under wing pylons similar to those on the  Fmk53 Saudi export variant for carriage of 'Skyflash missiles, the Redtop missile pylons would be converted to carry AIM 9L Sidewinders. To improve range the large ventral tank would have the 30mm Aden cannon deleted and one repositioned on the starboard side nose as were fitted to Fmk1, 1a, 2 and 2a. A retractable inflight refuelling probe installed on the portside.  A 'radar warning receiver' would be added to the vertical tail ala Phantom Harrier and Jaguar. An engine replacement for the 300 series RR Avons, not sure Olympus would fit? I remember reading there was a navalised version with 'area ruling around the rear fuselage to accommodate RR Spey engines. this is beyond my modelling skill set so Turbo Union RB199 from the Tornado would be installed!

The obvious kit for this build would be a Matchbox T55, on searching the usual second hand kit dealers they are going for around £25, this seems a little steep for an ancient kit where the far more modern Sword T4/5 can be had for less than twenty, although this doesn't have the larger ventral tank, so maybe recessed under fuselage mountings like the Phantom and Tornado ADV for the Skyflash and fuel tanks on the outer wing pylons

Miko

[PR19_Kit]

Mix and match an Airfix Mk 2 or 6 with the Sword 2 seater, that'd work.

[scautomoton]

The obvious kit for this build would be a Matchbox T55.....

see Gengriz's build here for inspiration. 

Also worth checking the For Sale section of most forums, normally cheaper than The 'Bay.

[PR19_Kit]

see Gengriz's build here for inspiration.

That's a cracking build, and despite the inherent weirdness of the VG wing, the thing that got my attention was the backward retracting nosewheel! A Lightning with such a nosewheel looks so DIFFERENT! 

[Weaver]

The obvious kit for this build would be a Matchbox T55, on searching the usual second hand kit dealers they are going for around £25, this seems a little steep for an ancient kit where the far more modern Sword T4/5 can be had for less than twenty, although this doesn't have the larger ventral tank, so maybe recessed under fuselage mountings like the Phantom and Tornado ADV for the Skyflash and fuel tanks on the outer wing pylons

Freightdog have their FGA Lightning conversion in-stock at the moment, which includes a full-length ventral tank (of slightly different shape to the real one) with no guns and mid-mounted pylons. This would enable you to convert a Sword T5 to a full-length pack:

https://www.freightdogmodels.co.uk/product/freightdog-1-72-bac-lightning-fga-project-conversion/

[Weaver]

see Gengriz's build here for inspiration.

That's a cracking build, and despite the inherent weirdness of the VG wing, the thing that got my attention was the backward retracting nosewheel! A Lightning with such a nosewheel looks so DIFFERENT! 

It is, although one problem with the loadout is that the TV MARTEL missile it's carrying under one wing would require the teardrop-shaped datalink pod seen on Buccaneers. One solution might be to carry the pod in place of the other MARTEL and let another aircraft carry two Radar MARTELs. Another might be to incorporate guts of the pod into the nose of one of the drop tanks, although that would mean you'd have to keep flying towards the target to maintain the link: Buccs often carried the pod facing backwards so they could turn away after launch.

[RAFF-35]

This is a really interesting topic. If there was a two seat Lightning with Blue-Vixen radar AND Skyflash + Sidewinder missiles, would there be any need for the Tornado ADV?

[PR19_Kit]

Yes, if only to avoid needing a veritable convoy of tankers to get the Lightning F7 out of sight of the coastline..............

[Charlie_c67]

Going back to the Martel data pod. Does anyone know of any? It's the same as the Bullpup, you need a data pod, but I've never knowingly seen one included in a kit and struggle to find pictures of them.

[Gondor]

Going back to the Martel data pod. Does anyone know of any? It's the same as the Bullpup, you need a data pod, but I've never knowingly seen one included in a kit and struggle to find pictures of them.

It's the backwards-looking teardrop. CMR did one in their No.165 Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer S.Mk.2/2C/2D "in Fleet Air Arm service" boxing, as I have that kit and just looked at the instructions. And no, you can't have mine 

[McColm]

Instead of the side-by-side seater, what about tandem arrangement as you are going to be using the Tornado weapons. The cockpit well might fit in the Lightning. Just a thought 

[RAFF-35]

Instead of the side-by-side seater, what about tandem arrangement as you are going to be using the Tornado weapons. The cockpit well might fit in the Lightning. Just a thought 

That would certainly look prettier. Plus, if the fuselage is lengthened,  it means extra fuel!

[PR19_Kit]

I did a tandem Lightning 2 seater ages ago, it was my second ever Whiff, sometime in the mid 70s.



As you can see it carried Skyflashes, and had a more cambered wing as well as an RWR fin top fairing. Back then the canopy was an Airmodel vacform for a 2 seater Mirage.

[Weaver]

Going back to the Martel data pod. Does anyone know of any? It's the same as the Bullpup, you need a data pod, but I've never knowingly seen one included in a kit and struggle to find pictures of them.

Air Graphics Models do one in 1/72nd: https://air-graphics.uk/shop/ols/products/ac-226-hs-buccaneer-s2bc-martel-data-link-pod

[Charlie_c67]

Going back to the Martel data pod. Does anyone know of any? It's the same as the Bullpup, you need a data pod, but I've never knowingly seen one included in a kit and struggle to find pictures of them.

Cheers! 
Air Graphics Models do one in 1/72nd: https://air-graphics.uk/shop/ols/products/ac-226-hs-buccaneer-s2bc-martel-data-link-pod