672nd Fighter Wing, Red Dragon Squadron Imperial Navy - “The Red Baroness” (SPRING CLEAN CHALLENGE 2021 by Zebraoutrider)

It’s very useful keeping a blog of your project, because this gave me a great reference aid to constructing the second flying base so that it was both different to the first, yet still fitted in with jungle theme.

The multi-piece tree kits allowed for some reconfiguration, but only if I used Liquid Green Stuff to fill the gaps. The orientation on the cutout base allowed for that distinction from the Lightning’s base and enabled me to position the clear, upright stand in a slightly higher position so that the Thunderbolt could be above the trees and the Lightning.

Again, the gallery below shows the Thunderbolt’s base WIP from construction through to painting using the same palette as the Lightning’s base.

To identify the base as belonging to the Red Baroness, I wanted to capture a red colour on the jungle floor. Rather than simply put a red plant, I decided to use the Thunderbolt’s red paint palette to add a Wizkids Giant Scorpion. This is a really detailed one-piece hard plastic mini (£4.99) and would be embedded into the Polyfilla base and part hidden by foliage.

As with the Lightning, additional number and insignia transfers were added to the underneath of the wings and the whole craft was weathered further with Vallejo weathering powders and Nuln Oil wash.

Next up will be to check and touch-up any glaring misses and to take a series of better close up and detailed photos of both the Thunderbolt and the Lightning ready for action.

Time Taken:

Base construction and painting (not including drying time) 8 hours

Scorpion paint job: 1 hour

Transfers: 30 minutes

Weathering: 30 minutes