BAC Lightning F.Mk-6 1:72 (Frog?) Review

RoR SnapShot Review 20121223* – BAC Lightning F.Mk-6 1:72 (Frog?) Review

 

Review and photos by Doug Cole   

The other day I had a chance, and a free hour, to introduce my son to the world of “old school” model kits. He’s always showed an interest in cars and ships but I thought that I’d show him some of the basics of building aircraft. After making a couple snap kits he was ready to give it a try and the results turned out pretty good as you can see. Don’t be fooled though – the model looks a lot better in the photo than in person. The reason for that is because it was not built for looks but merely for training purposes.

The object was to show a youngster how to use glue, paint and decals to build on his own. It’s not something that they just know how to do. You either learn it by making several years worth of glue bombs or someone has to show you how it’s done. That is the point of this post – show the youngsters how it’s done. The biggest reason why they give up on modeling is because they don’t know building basics and they can’t complete the kit they wanted to make. It’s critical to help them through the process and have that model to show and play with.

Even a complicated kit can be an easy build if you don’t worry about the details. This plane is showing every seam and the decals aren’t exactly great quality, but what you end up with is something they are proud to have helped in the making because it was completed in a couple hours and “looks” like the real thing. You can show them how to fill seams and replace panel lines when they are ready. One more thing that helps make this happens is that you have to look for low cost kits. I found this in the bargain box at Dean’s Hobby Stop in Flushing, MI. You can typically find heavily discounted kits at local shops and garage sales. With a bag full of these cheap kits you don’t have to worry about how they turn out – just relish the great time you had with your youngster teaching him how to build on his own and boosting their confidence. If you don’t have youngsters around the house, the Boy’s and Girls Clubs, Scouts, local hobby store, and schools would love to have you show up with a box of kits and good attitude. Local modeling clubs are also a great outlet for Make-N-Takes as well. You get the idea. If we don’t make it happen the hobby will die out with us and “our” generation!

For the Modeler: This kit was made in USSR probably in the mid 70’s. It has raised panel lines and the parts fit reasonably well together and there was the usual cleanup needed. The canopy was such a poor fit I displayed it as an open cockpit. I glued a small piece of rod stock on the back and inside of the canopy and painted it flat back and then drilled a hole in the fuselage where the canopy hinge would be. I glued it into place there and it looks reasonably good. The pilot figure was missing from the kit anyway but for $2 it was a bargain and it still looks like it’s waiting for a scramble on the tarmac. The decals were not very sharp and it’s always best to spray them with some clear coat and cut them out before applying them. It’s airbrushed with Tamiya Chrome Silver (X-11) and the nose cone with Tamiya Olive Drab (X-62). The rest of the appointments were hand brushed with Flat Black.

Just remember – “teach your children well.”

-righton

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