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

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to the point where modern day aircraft such as the F-35 Lightning II and F-22 Raptor are often called "fifth generation" fighters; The clear parts are molded in a bronze-brown colored plastic that is crystal clear with scale appropriate framing. The canopy, which hinges forward, can be posed open or closed. Parts are included to build up separate open and closed canopy units, which can then be swapped in and out after assembly. This image of unpainted parts with Tamiya panel line accent color applied shows how RAM coating patterns are depicted on the model.

the F-35A conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) aircraft, the F-35B short take-off, vertical landing (STOVL), and the F-35C, with its larger wing and tail; Parts are included to recreate ordnance such as AIM-120 air-to-air missiles, plus a missile troley. The F-35 is a family of single-engine, supersonic, stealth multirole fighters. The second fifth generation fighter to enter US service and the first operational supersonic STOVL stealth fighter, the F-35 emphasizes low observables, advanced avionics, and sensor fusion that enable a high level of situational awareness and long range lethality. The USAF considers the aircraft its primary strike fighter for conducting suppression of enemy air defense (SEAD) missions, owing to the advanced sensors and mission systems. RCS (radar cross section) enhancers affixed to top and bottom sections (two for each, four in total) during basic training exercises The kit includes a pilot figure with HMD and ejection seat. This image shows parts unpainted with Tamiya panel line accent color applied.Take a look at the F-35A in "Beast mode," with ordnance attached to all six of the weapons stations on the belly of the aircraft. After completing the internal bomb bay the builder is directed to assemble the wing hard points (3 per side) and the associated ordinance, which includes four GBU-12 Paveway II guided bombs and two AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. As with the AIM-120 missiles, detailed painting and decalling instructions 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.

The canopy can be depicted open or closed, while parts for extended and retracted boarding ladders are included. Choices, choices... The model can be assembled with different ordnance patterns: choose from stealth, air-to-air and "beast" mode configurations. Choose from open or closed weapons bay covers and canopy (the latter is interchangeable), up or down flaps, and extended or retracted boarding ladder. Multiple sensors are at the heart of its advanced capabilities, and the wealth of data harvested is shared via multifunction advanced data link, 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 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.

Separate parts are included to recreate the augmenter duct, fan, and other details visible inside the nozzle itself. 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 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. Includes a realistically recreated seated pilot figure with Helmet-Mounted Display (HMD) and various kinds of ordnance: AIM-9X Sidewinder x2, AIM-120C AMRAAM x2, GBU-12 Paveway II x4, and GBU-31 JDAM x2. Aircraft and ordnance parts are a product of Italeri. This plastic model kit requires paint and glue to complete.

Marking options cover aircraft with earlier (use of lighter gray around panel lines) and later (mostly dark gray) spec paint schemes. to see images of an assembled prototype of the model and an overview of the sprues included in the kit. Fuselage weapons bay doors can be assembled open or closed; if open, they display detailed depictions of various cables and lines. 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.