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1/72 - Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II by Academy - released


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Is that the third new tool 1/72nd F-35 due this year? Dragon's hasn't arrived from last year yet, then Italeri and now Academy. Think I'll wait till all are out and totally ripped apart before I get one!

Paul Harrison

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  • 9 months later...

Is that the third new tool 1/72nd F-35 due this year? Dragon's hasn't arrived from last year yet, then Italeri and now Academy. Think I'll wait till all are out and totally ripped apart before I get one!

Paul Harrison

You forgot Hasegawa 8-)

From my point of view it is not a surprise, the only new plane coming into service in the foreseeable future and used by nations all around the world.

I think in a few years time almost all the main producers will have one in their catalogue.

Cheers

Paolo

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Fujimi makes a 1/72 B model do they not?

Yes but its a couple of years old and has some issues:-

  • It has a snap-fix feel about it more akin to ready made models so hinge joints are very chunky and test fitting is a nightmare.
  • It has option engine configurations for CTOL or STOVL mode but managed to mould the wing vents and secondary main engine intakes aft of the lift fan moulded as panels on the fuselage halves so you cannot do an accurate aircraft in STOVL mode.
  • Like Italeri have neglected the wing pylons and armament
  • It also only directly available from Japan
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Actually I think the biggest issue with Fujimi is the rivets, which are not realistic at all. The Weapons are pretty generic as well...

It looks like from this photo that Academy has gone with a smaller lower wing fitting inside a bigger top wing. I really don't like that, as it always leaves a very ugly seam line that requires a lot of work to fix... its the same with the Fujimi kit as well.

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Has a pilot. Has acceptable weapons. Has much crisper panel details (though I would have liked to see the RAM zig-zags painted in light grey too, just to see how 'deep' and uniform the recessed edge breaks are...). Clearly, Academy did not hire a cake decorator to lay toothpaste lines down the fuselage. Italeri, take note. I also like the much more finely detailed nozzle. Well Done!

 

Hasegawa will have to go a significant ways to better this, IMO.

 

Suggestions On How To Do So:

 

1. GBU-53/B on BRU-61.

That's four small diameter bomb type IIs with a different wing configuration and nose seekers compared to the GBU-39. Never done before in any scale.

http://media.defenceindustrydaily.com/images/ORD_GBU-53_SDB-II_Rendering_lg.jpg

http://www.ausairpower.net/GBU/Raytheon-GBU-53B-SDB-II-8S.jpg

http://www.cobham.com/media/22659/sdb%20ii%20small_350x187.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v297/zedlav/F-16%20kit%20pics/F-16%20ED%20Pics/BRU-61SBDAIM9X1.jpg

 

2. CUDA missiles.

Looks like a Roland missile, about 6" wide and 70" long. Also carriageable, X4, on BRU-61 racks for a total of 12 internal shots. A very, _very_, important weapon on the Lightning II because it will be the only way for it to functionally take over for the huge loss in Raptor production for the OCA mission. Allows for tandem stacking of weapons in the same carriage box taken by an AIM-120. NDBIAS.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gnviwv0amd8/UMfvdVQRXAI/AAAAAAAAB7M/nGuTBwtTA9g/s1600/Est+Cuda+Dims.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hh_hWtZjQnk/UL7NnzKkdwI/AAAAAAAAB2k/wK1_sT61G9s/s640/12-Cudas-F-35.jpg

http://www.altair.com.pl/files/news/photos/9/9760/cuda1.jpg

 

3. Area Ruled Fuel Tank.

A sleeker version of what you see on the Mirage 2000D and Rafale B, comes with integrated pylon and well... NDBIAS.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1J6zME8Gpsw/T1aWfWSd5bI/AAAAAAAABC0/hNJEJS5gfug/s400/f35a2013_Beta_long_range.jpg

http://www.f-16.net/attachments/f_35externalfueltank_177.jpg

It's just cool.

 

4. Joint Strike Missile.

Only fit tests thus far (which is still better than the others) but it is sized to fit the weapons bays and will likely be a key export sales attractor when compared to Storm Shadow/SCALP on the Rafale and Typhoon and KEPD-350 on the JAS-39. If Kongsberg can do it cheap, it may also be the logical candidate for the LRASM-A which is currently an AGM-158 variant (very stealthy, very expensive). NDBIAS.

http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/514088866bb3f7fd75000001-960/joint-strike-missile-jsm-f-35.jpg

http://theaviationist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/F-35-RNoAF.jpg

http://www.defencetalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/f-35-joint-strike-missile.jpg

 

5. Fold Out Pilot's Ladder.

As distinctive as the one on the F/A-18s and A-10. 'In Scale' would likely require PE but short of hold'n'fold and PE nippers in every kit, this is not a good idea.

 

Congrats Academy. You already have a fine F-22 and now it looks like you're set to capture the F-35 market as well. Include some decent decals for Israel, Norway, Canada and Netherlands and we're set to pop.

 

Hasegawa, you'd better be on your toes and I'll add my name to the poster who really wants an F-35C instead of more A/B.

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