¹⁄48

Although it has been common knowledge that Airfix would be re releasing their 1/48 English Electric Lightning F2A/6, Airfix have confirmed the very welcome news by inviting pre orders for the kit.

Entering RAF squadron service in 1960, the Lightning represented a quantum leap in capability and performance over the RAF's previous interceptor jets, offering Mach 2+ performance as well as a phenomenal rate of climb. Until its retirement in the 1980s, the Lightning has few rivals for outright speed and climbing ability, however, it did have some shortcomings, most notably its lack of range as well as its limited armament of just two air-to-air missiles.
The F3 Lightning introduced an enlarged ventral tank with later versions also being equipped with over-wing tanks, improving the range of the Lightning further. These versions deleted the nose guns of the earlier variants, thus reducing the ability of the Lightning pilots to get in close to their opponents. They also did nothing to overcome its missile deficiency, with the Lightning still having to rely on just two missiles.
The Lightning was eventually replaced in 1988, superseded by the more capable and more heavily armed Tornado, but a number survive today in museums, a reminder of one of the RAF's fastest fighter jets of all time.

Judging from the box cover at least three sets of markings will be included with this release:
F.6, 5 Squadron RAF
Overall Medium Sea Grey and Barley Grey with red leading edges, fin and spine and partially natural metal belly tank
F.6, 11 Squadron RAF
Dark green and Dark Sea Grey topsides, natural metal undersides
F.2A, 74 Squadron, RAF
Overall natural metal, blue spine and fin.

The markings represent a good cross section of the possible overall finishes of the Lightning F2A/6.

I pretty sure this will be a very popular release, so send those orders in fast before the production run sells out. I can see Alclad II being horded in the next few weeks.

As an added incentive Airfix are offering free postage [on anything totaling over £25] for UK customers.

Cat no: A09178
Price: £27.99

For more information on the product above, please visit Airfix.

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