Thanks to the recent issue of the Trumpeter Lightning in 1/72 scale as well as the still nice Hasegawa and Airfix versions, we have a new sheet on an aircraft that many love to model. This particular sheet contains 10 options and covers a variety of schemes. Model Alliance decals have changed to a booklet style of instructions that are superbly printed and provide a separate page for each marking option. This allows everything to be in one place and also allows for some additional images to assist in placement. It also means that showing profiles of each  option in a review is not possible so my apologies in advance.

The decals are superbly printed by Cartograf. This company seems to be the de facto printer of choice for a lot of aftermarket companies and kit manufacturers. Can't blame them as the work is first rate. The sheets contain serials for all and it looks like there are enough insignia to do at least three if not more of the RAF options. A nice touch are the extra serials. Additional insignia are available if one wants to do them all. So what is on the sheet?

• Lightning F.6, XS931 - G of 11 Squadron, RAF Binbrook 1968. (Zapped by EC.2/12 of the French Air Force) This one is in unpainted metal.
• Lightning F.6, XR758 - V of 11 Squadron, RAF Tengah, Singapore 1969. (Zapped by 74 Squadron) Another bare metal aircraft
• Lightning F.2A, XN778 - A of 92 Squadron, RAF Gutersloh, Germany 1976. (Green Camouflage scheme) RAF Germany Lightnings were painted in Dark Green on the upper surfaces.
• Lightning F.3, XP706 - L of 74 Squadron, RAF Leuchars 1966. (Tiger striped refuelling probe)Another bare metal bird. 
• Lightning F.3, XR749 - DA of Lightning Training Flight Squadron, RAF Binbrook 1985. (Blue spine and tail) This is in a Medium Sea Grey/Barley grey scheme. Check out the review archives section as I did a 1/48 kit in this scheme.
• Lightning T.5, XS458 - T of 5 Squadron, RAF Binbrook 1980 but operating on APC at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus. (Zapped by 11 Squadron on spine) This aircraft is in the Dark Green/Dark Sea Grey camo scheme with a white spine.
• Lightning F.6, XR724 - K of 11 Squadron, RAF Binbrook in 1979. This one has 5 Squadron markings on the right side for the display season. Dark Green/Dark Sea Grey upper surface camouflage.
• Lightning F.2A, XM771 - P of 19 Squadron, RAF Gutersloh, Germany 1973. Also in overall Dark Green upper surfaces
• Lightning F.53, 53-692 - L of 13 Squadron, Royal Saudi Air Force, Tabuk AB 1977. (Two tone Sand and Brown Camouflage trials scheme) This one is in a fetching Medium Brown/Mid Stone wraparound scheme.
• Lightning T.5, XS417 - Z of 56 Squadron, RAF Coningsby 1976.  Another bare metal T bird.

The instruction booklet includes a list of available kits and conversion sets. This decal set is also available in 1/48 and will be produced in 1/32 as well once the Trumpeter kit hits the market.

April 2009

Review sheet courtesy of The Aviation Workshop

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