The distinguished "Tiger" squadron of the RAF, 74 Squadron,  was selected as the first to operate the English Electric Lightning in operational service.  They took delivery of the first production version, the F1, on 11 July 1960.  They would operate the Lightning F1s for four years until replacement in 1964 by the more advanced Lightning F3s, making 74 Squadron the first RAF unit to operate the "second generation" Lightning.  The famous tiger squadron badge, first adopted in World War I, adorned the squadron's Lightnings, with the black fuselage spine added in 1962. 

 The sheet includes roundels, codes and squadron markings for one Lightning F1: XM135, tail code "B".  The decals are sharply printed and in good register, with very rich color rendering.  Details on the tiger head badges and the yellow edging on the fin flashes are well done.  The decal can be combined with other decals to make any F1 operated by 74 Squadron.

 Unfortunately converting the Trumpeter kit to an accurate F1 will be a challenge.  The molded-on cable conduit on the fuselage will need to be ground off, sanded smooth, rescribed, re-rivited, and then finished in a bare metal scheme.  This may be beyond the skills of many modelers.  

 A curious omission are codes, fin flashes, and roundel bars for the Lightning F3s, which operated in essentially the same scheme at the beginning of their service in 1964.  An F3 can be done from this decal, but changing the serials will be required, as well as painting the larger roundel bars of the F3s and a new fin flash.

 What is on the decal sheet is well executed, and the black and gold Tiger markings will look impressive on the big Trumpeter kit.   Be prepared to do some work to make an accurate F1 model, though.

 Review sample provided by Hannant's.

 REFERENCES:

 Lake, Jon: "English Electric Lightning"; Wings of Fame Volume 7, 1997

 Aviation Picture Hangar website:  http://www.aviation-picture-hangar.co.uk/Lightning.html

 October 2009