Orange Hobby new 1/72 F-35C testshots

[srogue]

Development of 72 F-35 series, the proportion of manufacturers finally scrape together at least mahjong table(OrangeHobby,Hasegawa,Italerli,Academy),country and love stick noodles type A upcoming occasion, the process is the one who did not think of C, have developed 72 scale resin version of X-47B's Orange Hobby the launch of the company's first aircraft class injection parts F-35C; Initial release of the kit includes not only an aircraft, but also includes a deck trailers..... I am not responsible for the evaluation panels, just give us a fresh look.

Translate responsible: google

[Hit Or Miss]

After a long wait, mainstream manufacturers are finally beginning to tool kits in 1/72nd scale for the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, now in development by Lockheed Martin for the U.S. Armed Forces and Export. While several kits of the A model, CTOL, fighter have been or will shortly be released by Italeri, Academy and Hasegawa, none has yet tooled a kit of the F-35C.

Until now.

Orange Hobby, previously a specialist resin manufacturer with a kit of the X-47B UCAV prototype to their credit, is now working on the first injection molded F-35C CVTOL variant for the U.S. Navy in 72nd scale. This kit will include a fully rendered cockpit with superb Martin Baker Mk.16 ejection seat; weapons bay with AMRAAM missiles; optional wingfolds for the deck-parked version and a separate model of the tug used to position aircraft on the carrier. Photo etch for the afterburner spray jets and ejection seat harness will also be included.

Please give us your honest evaluation of our preliminary test shot as shown in the photos below.

Google translators should open a window when using model airplane glue...

Edited March 12, 2014 by Hit Or Miss

[Hit Or Miss]

Decent looking test shot.

I think it would be a better one if Orange Model followed Hasegawa's lead in using recessed lines to mark the outline of RAM appliques and then either through decals or vinyl masks (paint) or even PE, allow the modeler to build up the textured effect as they saw fit.

This is not Gundam, aerospace grade systems are not like bolt on tank armor.

I find the constant repetition of weapon loadouts to be boring, JDAM is not the only air to ground weapon which is planned for use on the JSF.

LRASM is essentially AGM-158 JASSM for naval use and Armory has one in resin. GBU-39 will be qualified on the F-35 (also Armory sourced) and is currently undergoing pit drop tests from the F-35A. GBU-53 will be next. The HARM is not compatible with internal carriage so a variant of the Raytheon 'T3' missile or the Lockheed CUDA (or both) will almost certainly be carried as a replacement for both AIM-120 and AGM-88. As will a gunpod and likely a Next Generation Jammer for the centerline.

Presently, CAS is oriented around internal carriage of the GBU-12 with GBU-38/54 likely to be qualified, later.

I would applaud optional position LEF/TEF over the wingfolds. As a naval jet, if applicable, it would be nice to see a knelt version of the nose gear and a 'dangling' (extended oleo) version of both the nose and the mains, along with a stand and a deployed hook option to show an aircraft returning to deck.

Accurate painting guides (I'm told that the new FS color for the jet is 36170) with a minibooklet showing detail painting and marking shots around the airframe would be nice. As would weapon bands and remove before flight tags for any ordnance or system covers. I always prefer having two canopies so that one can be used to seal the cockpit for painting on open canopy displays but alternatively, the inclusion of precut vinyl canopy masks should also be standardized by now, rather than forcing reliance on aftermarket.

Please work hard to ensure that the chine lines remain sharp and not 'rounded off' and where you include inserts for things like the intakes, please consider some form of guide frame or backing tab to allow proper alignment and strength.

Best of luck, it's a tough market to break into but you've got a decent starting kit of the best looking of the JSF variants.

[Steve Collins]

Agree with the above comments on the RAM outlines. From firsthand experience, I can tell you the RAM is not raised to the degree shown. Please go with engraved lines and either decals or painting templates. If you do, I'll certainly buy them.

Steve

[k5054nz]

Definitely not a fan of the raised RAM lines as used here, nor of the C model, but it is really cool to see an injection-moulded C for fans of the type. Nice work, Orange Hobby! I look forward to seeing some builds.

[Navy Bird]

Here is a nice photo that shows the RAM appliques up close:

The raised effect on the Orange Hobby test shot is way overdone, in my opinion. Best to stick with recessed panel lines and decals.

Cheers,

Bill

[Ed Russell]

Looks like Orange Hobby need to go back to the mahjong table and re-design that one. It would be really difficult to get rid of those panels, rescribe the lines and make the decals. Let's hope they are watching this and are prepared to junk some of their 50K-odd worth of tooling!

[tsepajev]

Actually, it's a plus that raised RAM lines are overdone. Simply because you will have to mask them to paint them in other colour. The only 1/72 F-35A model that is buildable is Hasegawa one, because it includes RAM areas as decals (with correct metallic tint).
The other contender, Academy F-35A does not have RAM decals nor overdone raised RAM outilines, but precisely for that reason RAM outlines are impossible to mask, which makes the whole model unbuildable unless you fancy some imaginary pain scheme.

It's quite impossible to mask them with masking tape or Parafilm, because raised outilines are too subtle (even for masking using power loupe) – you simply do not see the outlines through tape/parafilm and unable to cut th outlines of the mask correctly.

I hope that aftermarket manufacturers will supply painting masks or decals to RAM areas. The painting mask in late production Academy F-35A is regrettably only partial one and does not cover all the RAM areas.

The best outcome would be to include in this kit RAM areas as decals a la Hasegawa.

[LeVi Tophatter]

Decent looking test shot.

I think it would be a better one if Orange Model followed Hasegawa's lead in using recessed lines to mark the outline of RAM appliques and then either through decals or vinyl masks (paint) or even PE, allow the modeler to build up the textured effect as they saw fit...

...I would applaud optional position LEF/TEF over the wingfolds. As a naval jet, if applicable, it would be nice to see a knelt version of the nose gear and a 'dangling' (extended oleo) version of both the nose and the mains, along with a stand and a deployed hook option to show an aircraft returning to deck.

Accurate painting guides (I'm told that the new FS colour for the jet is 36170) with a minibooklet showing detail painting and marking shots around the airframe would be nice. As would weapon bands and remove before flight tags for any ordnance or system covers. I always prefer having two canopies so that one can be used to seal the cockpit for painting on open canopy displays but alternatively, the inclusion of precut vinyl canopy masks should also be standardized by now, rather than forcing reliance on aftermarket...

Orange Hobby may look at this and think "By 'eck"... I agree that the best OOB 'RAM panel' solution lies with 'RAM panel' decals. Relatively simple, easier to use and cheap, as opposed to vinyl paint masks and photo-etch panels. As hinted above, the moulds may have already been processed so I wouldn't hold my breath that the production kit will look much different at all, especially considering the expense of tooling/(re)manufacturing costs.

To give Orange Hobby credit, the detail to be seen is very nice, especially the cockpit, reminds me of the Kitty Hawk 1/48 F-35(s). Maybe Kitty Hawks upcoming 1/72 F-35A, F-35B and F-35C kit's won't be too dissimilar to this in aesthetic...

Hit or Miss, in an ideal world the options you've pointed out would be sublime, it would be similar to a 1/72 Wingnut Wings kit but on the flip-side, would you be willing to pay the inevitably high RRP associated with this approach? Kits these days will certainly have to appeal to 'Lil' Johnny' as well as 'Papa John'. There are folks who slate the Hasegawa 1/72 F-111 kits because they include the complex slat/slotted flap system...

Actually, it's a plus that raised RAM lines are overdone. Simply because you will have to mask them to paint them in other colour. The only 1/72 F-35A model that is buildable is Hasegawa one, because it includes RAM areas as decals (with correct metallic tint).

The other contender, Academy F-35A does not have RAM decals nor overdone raised RAM outilines, but precisely for that reason RAM outlines are impossible to mask, which makes the whole model unbuildable unless you fancy some imaginary pain scheme.

It's quite impossible to mask them with masking tape or Parafilm, because raised outilines are too subtle (even for masking using power loupe) – you simply do not see the outlines through tape/parafilm and unable to cut th outlines of the mask correctly.

I hope that aftermarket manufacturers will supply painting masks or decals to RAM areas. The painting mask in late production Academy F-35A is regrettably only partial one and does not cover all the RAM areas.

The best outcome would be to include in this kit RAM areas as decals a la Hasegawa.

I wouldn't go that far to declare the other kits 'un-buildable' solely because of the exaggerated raised 'Ram panels'. Despite being engraved panel lines they can be masked and airbrushed (lay masking tape alongside the panel lines) or even carefully brush painted with a small flat brush... Both options take absolutely ages though. Montex or Eduard surely will do a paint mask (or photo-etch ) set for the 'RAM panels'.

My personal preference at the moment is the Hasegawa F-35A's, they are quick to build with typically refined detail and all for 'pocket money' prices (from Asia of course...). The moulds are also designed to cater for the F-35B and F-35C that, knowing 'Hase-knock 'em out-gawa', are just around the corner!

Edit, forgot that F-111's have double slotted flaps, not 'plain' fowler flaps...

Edited December 13, 2014 by LeVi Tophatter

[-Neu-]

Actually, it's a plus that raised RAM lines are overdone. Simply because you will have to mask them to paint them in other colour. The only 1/72 F-35A model that is buildable is Hasegawa one, because it includes RAM areas as decals (with correct metallic tint).

The other contender, Academy F-35A does not have RAM decals nor overdone raised RAM outilines, but precisely for that reason RAM outlines are impossible to mask, which makes the whole model unbuildable unless you fancy some imaginary pain scheme.

Actually the AF-1 and AF-2 have relatively few RAM coatings, and look kinda interesting. They are also the most notable F-35s in the fleet, racking up a lot of hours in Test flights. I'm sure that others produce decals for them, but the most ready source of the scheme for those aircraft is the Hasegawa F-35 Prototype boxing.

Edited December 14, 2014 by -Neu-

[Julien]

Having just got the review copy of this it looks much better in the kit than the test shots.

Will hope to get it reviewed as soon a as I can fit it in.

Julien

[Mike V]

Not a good entry kit into this hobby. That RAM boot is grossly overdone. Wheels are wrong; though so are all other F-35 kits. There are major shape issues too.

Pass!

Mike V

[Nigel Foster60]

Sorry in case I missed it but is anyone making a 1/72 scale F35B as to be used by the RAF?

Thank you in anticipation for any kind replies.

Thanks

Nigel

[Caution Wake Turbulence]

I think Kitty Hawk are planning to release all three variants in 1/72 this year.

Andrew

[Julien]

Not a good entry kit into this hobby. That RAM boot is grossly overdone. Wheels are wrong; though so are all other F-35 kits. There are major shape issues too.

Pass!

Mike V

Mike,

As I said earlier in the thread I have the production kit on my bench now and the ram is no where near as pronounced as the pics above with look to be a test shot. Of course they are over scale but much more restrained.

Julien

[Navy Bird]

Mike,

As I said earlier in the thread I have the production kit on my bench now and the ram is no where near as pronounced as the pics above with look to be a test shot. Of course they are over scale but much more restrained.

Julien

Good news indeed. Will we be seeing a WIP in the near future?

Cheers,

Bill

[Julien]

Not sure about that Bill as my build pace is glacial. I would recommend getting the mask set for the kit as the painting instructions are a bit lacking.

[-Neu-]

Sorry in case I missed it but is anyone making a 1/72 scale F35B as to be used by the RAF?

Thank you in anticipation for any kind replies.

Thanks

Nigel

Fujimi has already released one, and given how hasegawa constructed their F-35A kit, its likely that the B will be coming in the future.

[Mike V]

Mike,

As I said earlier in the thread I have the production kit on my bench now and the ram is no where near as pronounced as the pics above with look to be a test shot. Of course they are over scale but much more restrained.

Julien

Do show pictures please. Tooling wise in order to reduce the height raised LO, they would need to add to the tooling, which would be a lot more difficult and expensive and typically does not happen, but who knows. maybe they did it that way, so would like to see.

Did they correct any of the shape problems, from the aft canopy spine transition and the upper engine bulge to nozzle shroud? It's looking like some contour issues on the lower fuselage, though I'd like a closer look like I did when I compared the Hasegawa kit to the real jet here at Edwards.

Seems that made some of the same mistakes as Kitty Hawk did in their 48th scale kit.

[LeVi Tophatter]

More an observation than an argument, I would have though it to be very expensive and time consuming altering moulds for raised surface detail (possibly the reason Hasegawa didn't scribe the fuselage of the 1/72 A-10 kits after permanent A-10A LASTE and A-10C fuselage mods)

Personally, I don't think the tooling has changed at all, it may well look worse in photo's than in the 'flesh'... The detailing is seriously nice for the scale too.

Test shot (Orange Hobby):

Production kit (Hyperscale):

Images credited to their respective owners. (Will remove if not allowed).

I'll wait for the inevitable F-35B and F-35C from Hasegawa, as they've taken the logical approach of including the RAM areas as decals. No hassle with refining raised panels and no extra expense of buying paint masks... Each to their own!!!

[Julien]

I will try and get a couple of pics tomorrow Mike.

The aft canopy does look like the Kitty Hawk kit in that ots too pointed and the transition is not as smooth as the real aircraft. They do appear to have the APU? exhaust on the rear which the KH kit did not seem to have. Overall I like the look better than the KH kit.

Must be slightly difficult for the kit makers as I imagine LM were not sending out invitations to turn up and measure a real one or use a laser scanner on one!

Julien

[Nigel Foster60]

Andrew, Thank you for the answer regarding the other versions. That will give me something to look forward too. I can feel a 617 Squadron aircraft crossing my work bench. Thanks, Nigel

[magman2]

The tool maker is remembering the love for Matchbox kits.

[Julien]

There are NO trenches on this kit. If anything the RAM is more restrained on other kits. It will always be dilemma for model manufacturers to mould this or use decal. I can see the merits of both having this kit where it is moulded, and a Hasegawa kit (not F-35) where this type of marking is a decal.

Here are two quick shots of the main sprues I took today prior to doing a full kit review. As you can hopefully see the RAM is less restrained that the test shot we saw.

Julien

[Mike V]

Yea, it's still quite over done. Looking at the spine and LEFs, the LO RAM is way over done; even more so than Hasegawa's 48th F-22. Just means a lot more work needs to be done to knock all that down.

There is absolutely no need to try and replicate raised LO in this scale by tooling it into the model. It would be much more practical to provide masks to replicate the LO, as it really comes down to the thickness of a layer of paint.