FROG ВАС Lightning F.6/F.53

HASEGAWA. B.A.C. (English Electric) Lightning F.6. 1/72nd scale. Price (Japan) 250 yen.

Hasegawa are fast becoming the leading company in the production of kits of up-to-date jet aircraft types, and this kit of the Lightning 6 is a most welcome addition to their range.

The parts are moulded in silver-grey plastic of good quality, and the panel detail is excellent. The planform and section of the wings is absolutely accurate and, bearing in mind that this aircraft is still on the classified list as regards detailed drawings, Hasegawa have made an excellent job of presenting a kit that when completed looks really accurate. Included are a re-fuelling probe, over-wing ferry tanks> and a superb two-piece canopy of excellent quality and clarity. All parts fit very well indeed.

The decals given are actually for a converted Mk.3, XP697, used as a development aircraft for the Mk.6 rather than for an actual Mk.6. The alternative Royal Saudi A.F. markings depict the aircraft shown at Farnborough in September 1966, which was also a converted Mk.3. We hope to feature authentic Lightning 6 markings in a later issue. Considered as a decal sheet, that given with Hasegawa's Lighting is good; the insignia are well printed, and adhere satisfactorily. This is a kit we recommend highly, and one which we know will prove popular.

The IPMS magazine, Vol.5 No.10, OCTOBER 1967

FROG model aircraft 1932-1976, R. Lines, L. Hellstrom

Novoexport V/O Novoexport, Bashitovskaya 19. Moscow 103287, USSR Period: (1976 to date)

Novoexport is one of several state-owned Soviet export organisations, each specialising in a different type of merchandise, with Novoexport handling all sales of toys and similar goods.

Apart from the role played in connection with Novo (which see), Novoexport also had - and probably still has -an ambition to export kits produced from the old Frog moulds under their own name.

The first attempt took place in the mid-1970s, parallel to the introduction of Novo kits. Novoexport expressed a desire to export kits under their own name while simultaneously supplying kits to Novo. Novo had no objections and helped print a test batch of some 2,000 pieces each of fifteen header cards. No new instruction sheets were made, however. The cards were basically identical to those used by Novo, but with a red rather than blue border and a new logotype. However, Novoexport soon fell behind with their deliveries to Novo and, to ensure that no part of the Soviet production was diverted to other outlets, Novo refused to supply further header cards. The initial batch was never used commercially, but some cards have since surfaced from east Europe with Novo instructions and newly produced kits.

Attempt number two was initiated in September 1982, when contact was established with Capital Model Supply, a London hobby shop since gone bankrupt. After lengthy discussions a range of 24 kits was agreed upon (although the 1/96 scale Lancaster was later dropped) and by August 1984 a contract - giving CMS exclusive distribution rights -had been drawn up. However, at this point the financiers finally became aware of the true economic situation of CMS and consequently pulled out - only 48 hours before the contract with Novoexport was due to be signed!

Since no instruction sheets were printed for the first group, these kits have also been marked as projects only.

The observant reader will have noted that the last nine kits in the second group have numbers different from the Novo issues. These numbers are shown on a recent Soviet list and would in all probability have been used on the kits in question, had they been released.

2nd group

FROG model aircraft 1932-1976, R. Lines, L. Hellstrom

Matchbox. BAC Lightning F6/F2A. 1/72nd scale. Price 60d.

LATEST addition to the Matchbox Red Series is one of the RAF's most well known aircraft designs, a design which dates back to the 1950s. Since then, the machine has enjoyed many years of useful service with the air arms of several countries and is still going strong. For many years sporting natural metal finishes, it is only recently that the Lightnings of the RAF received their green/grey camouflage warpaint schemes.

Matchbox have taken what appears to be a retrograde step in regard to the panel line detail of this particular kit. Instead of the refined engraved lines of preceding issues, we now have ugly raised lines over all surfaces. This requires vigorous rubbing down with wet and dry paper before assembly and this is an important defect to correct. Indeed, it may be preferable to remove all moulded detail entirely and re-scribe with a needle prior to assembly. The removal of this heavy detail will still not alter the thickness of the wings which are hardly representative of one of the thinnest section aerofoils in aviation. Similarly, the tail surfaces would benefit from a certain amount of refining.

Cockpit detail is at a minimum, and the control column might be better re-positioned a little closer to the ejector seat. There is no instrument panel either, leaving one to rely on the superb ModelDecal (sheet No. 25) which gives a decalised panel and more sophisticated markings for a No. 19 Squadron F2A.

Another odd error is the lack of a blanking off plate behind the air intake (part 14). This can easily be rectified by a circular disc of polycard attached behind the part before it is joined to the fuselage. When checking with drawings (see Scale Models February 1971) it would appear that the fuselage of the Matchbox kit is undersized in width by about 1/32in each side; a surprising error, and not one to be corrected so easily either. Comparison with the scale drawings, also available as MAP Plan Pack AJ2916, pointed out certain other discrepancies (none serious) which the enthusiast may like to attend to:-

1.The tips of the tailplane need squaring off, and this can be achieved by gentle sanding.

2. The underside fuselage strakes are too deep and need careful trimming before cementing to the fuselage. The error occurs in the leading edge which is at least Viein. too deep and needs trimming off at this end.

3. The nose probe would look better replaced from a sprue item.

4. The fins of the Firestreak AAMS are too heavy and should be replaced with 10 thou polycard.

None of the foregoing should put off the modeller,however,as those points we mention are fairly easy to correct. And on the debit side Matchbox do provide the basis of a good and generally accurate model. Of particular note are the undercarriage assemblies (with a depressed nosewheel) and the decal sheet which gives a choice of markings for a F2A of No. 92 Squadron, and an F6 of No. 74. The decals are of good quality, if a little translucent, the white of the roundels being particularly light. For the F6 version over-wing long range ferry tanks are supplied, and these look accurate enough, but paradoxically lack any panel detail! Not the best kit by Matchbox, but not really a bad one either, it is one of the most reasonably priced Lightnings on the market anyway.
R.L.R.

Scale Models Vol7 No83 AUGUST 1976