Trumpeter 1/72 01654 Lightning F.2A/F.6

Details of Trumpeter 1/72 01654 Lightning F.2A/F.6

Basic Specifications

• Brand: Trumpeter
• Item No.: 01654
• Scale: 1/72
• Subject: British RAF English Electric (BAC) Lightning F.2A / F.6 Single-Seat Supersonic Interceptor
• Material: Plastic
• Finished Size: Length 233.1mm × Wingspan 148mm

Kit Contents

• Total around 88 plastic parts
• Photo-etched detail parts included
• Clear transparent parts for single-seat bubble cockpit canopy
• Twin Rolls-Royce Avon turbojet engine and exhaust nozzle assemblies
• Belly ventral fuel tank, over-wing fuel tank, Firestreak & Red Top air-to-air missile components
• Decals & assembly instruction manual
• Unpainted and unassembled kit, paint and glue not included

Product Features

• Accurately reproduced two variants in one kit: Lightning F.2A and the ultimate Lightning F.6 interceptor
• Faithfully modelled Britain’s iconic vertically stacked twin-engine Mach 2 supersonic interceptor
• Fully detailed single-seat cockpit with ejection seat, instrument panel and harness details
• Central shock cone intake with Ferranti AIRPASS fire-control radar
• Fine engraved panel lines and rivet details across fuselage, compound delta wings and empennage
• Variant difference parts: F.2A retains original nose 30mm ADEN cannons and Firestreak missile; F.6 features cambered leading-edge wings, enlarged belly fuel tank, squared large vertical fin and overwing tank mounting points
• Optional movable flaps and airbrake configuration
• Precise tricycle landing gear with detailed wheel wells, struts and wheels
• Multiple marking options for RAF frontline squadrons including No.23 Sqn

Historical Background

• The Lightning F.2A was upgraded from F.2 airframes, fitted with enlarged ventral tank and cambered wing from F.6, while keeping Avon 211R engines, nose 30mm ADEN cannons and Firestreak infrared missiles.
• Lightning F.6, originally designated F.3A, was the definitive production variant of the Lightning family, entering RAF service in 1965. It adopted improved cambered wing, bigger belly fuel tank and squared tail fin, equipped with Red Top all-aspect air-to-air missiles.
• Powered by twin Rolls-Royce Avon afterburning turbojet engines, it had extraordinary climb performance, tasked to intercept Soviet bombers approaching UK airspace during the Cold War.
• F.6 could carry optional overwing fuel tanks to extend patrol endurance. Some F.6 airframes were retrofitted with belly-mounted 30mm cannons in later service.
• The F.6 served RAF until 1988, the last Lightning variant retired from Royal Air Force service.