Full review with Dave Coward
VIEW WALKAROUND PHOTOS FROM DAVE – look at our Photographic Refrence Library
And so, just before we get started, here’s a look at how it all turned out…
Background
The F-35 Lightning II is an ambitious project that aims to provide – in a single overarching design – aircraft tailored to three different services’ distinct needs; that it does in the form of the F-35A (for the Air Force), F-35B (Marines) and F-35C (Navy). Perhaps the most stunning of the three is the innovative F-35B, which was designed to succeed the AV-8B Harrier II, and is a short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft thanks to a lift fan installed between the cockpit and the engine, plus the 3 Bearing Swivel Module mechanism. Rather impressively, it also manages to combine extremely low observability characteristics with exemplary situational awareness provided by the numerous sensors across the aircraft. The F-35B is expected to serve mainly from aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships; as of 2023, the British Royal Navy and the Italian Navy have started deployment, and the Japan Air Self Defence Force also expects to see F-35Bs with its units from 2024.
The Kit
This is a 1:48 scale plastic model assembly kit. Length: 325mm, wingspan: 222mm. The model can be assembled as one of three types: parked, short take-off and vertical landing. Fine recreations of Radar Absorbent Material (RAM) are moulded into fuselage surfaces. Engine duct and nozzle are assembled into one of three positions depending upon the type of model chosen. The engine nozzle is made up of 5 parts and gives an accurate, crisply detailed finish. Parts are included for raised and lowered versions of control surfaces. A stand is provided for use when assembling a vertical landing model. The lift fan is integrated with the nose landing gear bay. This model offers excellent fuselage interior detail. A full complement of ordnance includes AIM-9X and AIM-120C missiles, plus GBU-12 and GBU-32 bombs. A total of seven marking options is included, covering aircraft from three nations.
Aftermarket Extras:
New ware EXPERT Masks NWAM 1164
New ware Camouflage Masks NWAM 1165
Eduard Brassin Wheels ED648978
Eduard Seatbelts EDFE1421.
The Plan
The first part of the build was to find reference photos and fortunately a quick look through the internet found plenty of images to guide me. My initial plan was to build the model in the as if it had just landed as this allowed me to display the lift fan and the engine and also have the weapon bay partially open. The engine was to be in the take-off position as it would have rotated through this point as it moved into the parked position after landing. I had a change of plan during the build more of that later on in the review.
