ScaleCraft Studios English Electric Lightning F.6 Development

We’re excited to officially announce the development of our first scale model kit: the English Electric Lightning F.6 ⚡

Attached to this post is the stunning box art by Antonis Karydis, which sets the visual direction for the project.

Kit concept & roadmap

The initial release will be a fully 3D-printed resin kit. Our long-term goal is to evolve this into a hybrid kit, combining:

  • Injection-moulded polystyrene for the fuselage, wings, vertical and horizontal stabilisers

  • High-detail 3D-printed resin for critical parts such as landing gear legs, wheels, wheel wells, ejection seat, and avionics bays

This approach preserves fine detail while eliminating much of the frustrating clean-up associated with mould lines.

The cockpit instrument panels will be produced by Red Fox Studio and will ship as part of the kit.
For the initial production run of the fully 3D-printed kits, the canopy will be injection-moulded clear polystyrene.

Design & research phase

The project is currently in its early design stage, following an extensive research period. This includes cross-referencing a large photographic archive with original blueprints to ensure:

  • Accurate fuselage shape and proportions

  • Correct representation of the Martin-Baker Mk.4 ejection seat specific to the F.6

  • Attention to many other airframe and systems details that are often overlooked

This is very much just the tip of the iceberg from a pre-design perspective.

The design and prototyping phase is expected to run for approximately 18 months, with many options still under consideration — including the possibility of fully detailed Rolls-Royce Avon engines as part of the kit.

Planned marking options & colour schemes

  • No. 5 Squadron – XS899: Green and grey camouflage

  • No. 5 Squadron – XR770: Light grey with red vertical stabiliser, fuselage spine, and wing leading edges

  • No. 11 Squadron – XR773: Low-visibility grey

  • No. 74 Squadron – XR768: Natural metal finish with black horizontal stabiliser

There’s a lot still to do, but we’re excited to finally share the direction of this project. More updates will follow as the design progresses.

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