The last kit I finished was probably the English Electric Lightning F.1, also from Airfix… about 3 years ago, in July 2022. Now how is it possible that I have not managed to finish anything in 3 years? Work is definitively one reason (but I am retired now), and house renovations is another, and too many hobbies is a third reason.
Most of all it is about starting too many kits and creating one shelf queen after another, because I made a mistake and did not have the energy to correct it, because I started huge projects and lost interest along the way, or abandoned a build to start that new kit I got from the latest model show. Too some extend this was to convince myself that my stash was not growing… It feels like some kind of psychological illness. 
But now I finished a Vampire… and I am even quite pleased with it.
To those having the same ambition:
· Fit is fine, no complaints here, just dry fit everything, and be aware that the slightest scratch in the surface will explode onto the scene with a Natural Metal Finish.
· The instructions are excellent. I really love the modern instruction sheets of Airfix.
· But a stark warning, this is a tail sitter and the 17 gram that Airfix proposes to put in the nose are a joke; first because it is not enough, second because it is virtually impossible to fit 17 gram of lead in that tiny nose. I recommend putting some extra weight in the fuselage just behind the cockpit.
· The plastic seems unnecessary thick, which may to some extend explain the tail sitting.
· The decals are just fine, some micro set and sol was used
I put a base coat down of Mr. finishing surfacer 1500 black, also using Mr. Color levelling thinner. I am quite impressed with both the surfacer and the thinner. This build may mark the end of my too long experimenting with lacquers, enamels, and acrylics (despite having always defended sticking to what works and what you are familiar with).
Acrylics are totally banned for now. I may still use what I have but will not buy that stuff anymore.
The kit was overall painted with Alclad Airframe aluminium, and finished with a light sheen coat, also from Alclad. As it as my first natural metal finish after so many years, I did not experiment with different shades or coats or anything, except for a modest panel liner (AK). That seems appropriate for this plane considering the bulk of the pictures of the real thing on the internet.
That panel liner gave me the creeps. After +/- 5 minutes it was already difficult to remove the excess. I almost ruined my build instead of finishing it…
I am quite pleased with the result, despite it not being perfect. Lighting conditions are bad here due to the weather, so a poor picture will have to do for now.
I hope you like it too.