Meng 1/48 F-35A

[Slater]

Does anyone have any positive/negative comments on this particular kit? Some have commented that the RAM panel joints are a bit overdone.

[tsepajev]

Meng is the best kit of F-35A in 1/48 and has far less accented RAM panel lines than KittyHawk 1/48 F-35A/C kits.

I strongly suggest RAM panel line decals or masks like this one:

https://dnmodels.com/product/ram-panels-paint-masks-f-35-meng/

The color of the airframe is FS 36170 (Mr. Paint MRP-280 or Akan 72071). You can make the lighter grey RAM panels by adding some white to this same paint.

After applying glossa varnish and decals spray entire model with Mr. Paint MRP-278 Have Glass Special Matt varnish to add slight metallic sheen to the airframe.

Su sure to check the compatability of MRP-280, gloss varnish and MRP-278 on scrap piece of plastic first 😉

 

http://mrpaint.sk/index.php?route=product/product&keyword=HAVE&product_id=373

http://hpns.eu.nettihotelli.org/shop/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=72071

http://mrpaint.sk/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=375&search=36170

http://hpns.eu.nettihotelli.org/shop/mrp-280-camouflage-grey-fs-36170

http://hpns.eu.nettihotelli.org/shop/mrp-278-have-glass-special-matt-varnish

 

 

[exdraken]

Meng is the way to go!

Regarding the panels,  latest F-35s show a lot less specially painted areas, the color is much more uniform!

 

[Red Dot]

It looks like a great kit in the box. The panels are a bit overdone but could be sanded down slightly or even right off then masked

 

andy

[Slater]

Compared with the correct shade of grey, is the as-molded color darker, lighter, or fairly accurate?

[mstorin]

One thing to note is that the Have Glass effect does not extend onto the taped areas. Another thing is that a new tape painting technique has been instituted that, for the most part, eliminates the two color effect. Most of the aircraft is all one color with some areas still painted in a lighter color with a different sheen. See below.

 

If you are really interested in getting the Have Glass color and sheen correct, there is a long, but informative thread on ARC about the subject:

http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?/topic/303049-obsession-with-fs-36170-who-got-it-right/

 

Getting the Have Glass effect to look right is an elusive goal. I found a person who used a mix of Gunze Mr Color Super Metallic paint with a Mr Color grey. It is the closest I have seen to the real thing (going by photos, I've never seen the real thing in person). See page 4 of the aforementioned thread on ARC.