EE/BAC Lightning T.4/T.5 Parts 1 & 2

Xtradecal, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Mark Davies

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It’s no surprise that Xtradecal should release some markings options to coincide with Sword’s release of their Lightning T.4 and T.5 kits, as Xtradecal already have quite a range of markings for this classic British fighter in several scales.

The Decals

The two sets reviewed here cover each have a selection of markings for both the Lightning T.4 and T.5; with three T.4 options each, plus six and eight T.5 schemes for Parts 1 and 2 respectively.

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Thumbnail panels:

The decals are supplied in Xtradecal’s usual A5 window envelope. The instructions are nicely produced in colour and clearly indicate markings placement. A brief note regarding the aircraft and its station location is given for each subject. Unsurprisingly, a list of Xtracolor paint codes is also provided for the colours required. The decals look to be superbly printed and with excellent colour density. The subjects covered by each sheet are listed below.

X72200 – EE/BAC Lightning T.4/T.5 Part 1

Lightning T.4’s:

• XM974, “T” of 74 Sqn, RAF Leuquars, 18 September 1965; and
• XM995, “T” of 92 Sqn, RAF Widenrath, West Germany, 1977, and
• XS418, “418” of 226 OCU, RAF Middlestone-St. George, September 1963.

Lightning T.5’s

• XV328, “T” of 5 Sqn, RAF Binbrook, April 1977;
• XS459, “X” of 56 Sqn, RAF Binbrook, 21 June 1976;
• SX421, “T” of 111 Sqn, RAF Wattisham, September, 1974;
• XS454, “454” of 226 OCU, 2 T Sqn, RAF Cottishall, May 1974;
• XS452 of Akrotiri Station Flight, RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, 1975; and
• XS421, “S” of 23 Sqn, RAF Leuquars, 1974.

X72201 – EE/BAC Lightning T.4/T.5 Part 2

Lightning T.4’s:

• XM992, “Z” of 111 Sqn, RAF Wattisham, 1960’s;
• XM968, “Q” of 92 Sqn, RAF Gutersloh, West Germany, 1973; and
• XM995, “T” of 92 Sqn, RAF Wildenrath, West Germany, 1970’s.

Lightning T.5’s

• XS416, “T” of 74 Sqn, RAF Leuquars, 1965;
• XS459, “459” of 226 OCU, RAF Coltishal, 1960’s;
• SX458, “Z” of  Lightning Training Flight, RAF Binbrook, 1970’s;
• SX458, “DX” of  Lightning Training Flight, RAF Binbrook, late-1970’s;
• XS419, “DV” of Lightning Training Flight, RAF Binbrook, March 1987;
• XS452, “BT” of 11 Sqn, RAF Binbrook, 15 April 1988;
• XS452, “Y” of 11 Sqn, RAF Binbrook, early-1980’s; and
• XS458, “T” of 5 Sqn, RAF Binbrook, 15 August 1979.

These are superbly produced sets of decals. They provide some interesting options for the new Sword Lightning T.4 and T.5 kits – Great value and highly recommended.

Highly recommended.

Thanks to Hannants for this sample.

Text and Images Copyright © 2014 by Mark Davies
This Page Created on 24 June, 2014
Last updated 24 June, 2014

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