TAMIYA 61124 1:48 US F-35A Lightning II, True-to-Original Replica Plastic Kit, Crafts, Model Kit, Assembly, Unpainted, Multicoloured

Product Information

The F-35's maiden flight was in December 2006, and deployment with air arms in the U.S., Italy, Japan and more is planned, Parts are included to build up separate open and closed canopy units, which can then be swapped in and out after assembly. Full-size color documentation is included to explain the depiction of RAM coatings, stencils and U.S. Air Force aircraft. to the point where modern day aircraft such as the F-35 Lightning II and F-22 Raptor are often called "fifth generation" fighters; Have a closer look at the five-part breakdown for the distinctive engine nozzle, which leads to a highly accurate finish.

This kit can be-assembled with one choice of the three ordnance patterns – stealth mode, air-to-air mode, and beast mode. Ordnance parts can be-attached under wing. qualities such as their highly advanced stealth characteristics and network connectivity set them apart from earlier fighters. This image of unpainted parts with Tamiya panel line accent color applied shows how RAM coating patterns are depicted on the model. The builder is directed to assemble the nicely detailed nozzle assembly next, which can be built pointed to the rear as if in flight or vectored downward as for take-off/landing. Two different sets of nozzle cover doors (for flight and landing) are provided.

The nicely molded vertical stabilizers, flaperons, and horizontal stabilators are added next followed by the cover for the lifting fan, which can be posed open or closed. This largely completes the airframe. Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 after burning turbofan, 28,000 lbf (120 kN) thrust dry, 43,000 lbf (190 kN) with afterburner. Parts are included to recreate ordnance such as AIM-120 air-to-air missiles, plus a missile troley.

The main wheels/tires are comprised of halves while the nose wheel is a single piece. All have a flattened area simulating weight; nice. The gear doors and hinges/actuators are all nicely molded and free of flash. Instructions are provided for placing the many decals that adorn the outer faces of the gear doors, which will look very convincing. across these three variants, the F-35 can accomplish various missions without impacting upon its observability and exemplary maneueverability. Fuselage weapons bay doors can be assembled open or closed; if open, they display detailed depictions of various cables and lines. The internal bomb bay can be posed open or closed. It seems a shame to pose it closed given the all the amazing detail provided here. This is a very nice piece of molding that will look awesome under paint and a wash. Like the gear doors, the bomb bay doors are nicely molded with well detailed hinges and actuators should you choose the open option. Two nicely molded AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles are provided for the bomb bay. Painting and decalling (3 per missile) instructions are provided.Aircraft and ordnance parts are a product of Italeri. This plastic model kit requires paint and glue to complete. The kits grey styrene parts (by Italeri) are conveyed on two large and one small sprue, all individually bagged. Parts are clear of flash and the fidelity of detail is quite nice. The surface details are finely rendered and scale appropriate. The plastic has a satin finish that’s perfect for receiving a coat of primer. Parts layout and engineering are conventional for modern-day jets suggesting this will be a straightforward build. The kit layout is simple and straightforward with no apparent issues laying in wait. There’s no flash to contend with and detail abounds in areas like the internal bomb bay, ordinance, and wheel wells. The option to build the airframe configured for flight or take-off/landing will make a lot of builders very happy. Ditto that for the decal sheet, which is crisply printed with an abundance of airframe details that will look very convincing when complete. Highly recommended!

The kit includes a pilot figure with HMD and ejection seat. This image shows parts unpainted with Tamiya panel line accent color applied. Comes with nine marking options - U.S. Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Royal Norwegian Air Force, Royal Danish Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Israeli Air Force, Italian Air Force, Republic of Korea Air Force, and Royal Netherlands Air Force. (Also, drag chute fairing component is-included only for the Royal Norwegian Air Force.) RCS (radar cross section) enhancers affixed to top and bottom sections (two for each, four in total) during basic training exercises The F-35B entered service with the U.S. Marine Corps in July 2015, followed by the U.S. Air Force F-35A in August 2016 and the U.S. Navy F-35C in February 2019. The F-35 was first used in combat in 2018 by the Israeli Air Force. The U.S. plans to buy 2,456 F-35s through 2044, which will represent the bulk of the crewed tactical airpower of the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps for several decades. Dedicated open and closed canopy parts can be switched in and out after completion. They come molded with a tint to save a paint job.The drag chute container unique to the Royal Norwegian Air Force marking option is recreated using a separately molded part. Marking options cover aircraft with earlier (use of lighter gray around panel lines) and later (mostly dark gray) spec paint schemes. This picture is of the model with closed weapons bay doors, showing off the stunning detail achieved on the underbelly.