F-35A Lightning II & F-35B Lightning II

[Mike]

F-35A Lightning II & F-35B Lightning II

1:144 Pit-Road

In association with

The F-35 is being developed by Lockheed Martin as a common fighter for US services, as well as being an export fighter for friendly nations. It is currently still in development, and as such constantly changing, and indeed the future of the V/STOL B model is constantly being called into question in the current financial climate.

These kits represent the prototype versions of these aircraft, and are boxed separately, with one kit in each box. They arrive in small top opening boxes with three view CGI drawings on the lids, showing their current markings.

Inside each both boxes are two sprues of dark grey styrene, a tiny clear sprue containing the canopy, two small sheets of decals, a black stand, instruction sheet and painting guide, the latter in full color.

F-35A

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This is the standard "thrust from the back" fighter variant, and from the two sprues you can build one airframe that has detailed gear bays, weapons bays and a rudimentary cockpit. You get a selection of Air-to-Air missiles to populate the weapons bays, and a full compliment of bay doors that have incredibly large (for the scale) attachment lugs. They do blend well with the edges of the bays however, so shouldn't really show up once construction is completed. A separate set of doors are provided for gear-up and bays closed. The landing gear is also provided, with separate wheels for the main gear, and a moulded wheel at the end of the nose gear leg.

The canopy is a single piece unit and quite clear for the size and scale, although two location tabs on the sides will be visible once installed. To avoid this, it would be necessary to remove the tabs and polish the canopy back to a shine on the inside. The ejection seat is basic, but not much will be seen when you consider that the whole cockpit aperture is smaller than my little fingernail.

A small cut-out is flashed over on the underside for mounting the model on the stand, which has a ball-socket on the end to allow you to position the model, much like the old Matchbox stands of yore.

Decals are provided for both the prototype airframes 01 and 02, as well as for some hypothetical Japanese airframes, with white backing decals for the red hinomarus. Register and color rendition is good, and a full decaling guide is given for both prototype airframes.

F-35B

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Much the same can be said of this kit, except for the airframe differences that make for a shorter, wider cockpit, the lift fan can be modelled open or closed, and the vectored rear nozzle can be built at full deflection for hover, or to the rear for forward flight by the inclusion of separate parts. For some reason, this edition also includes a pilot figure, although he's somewhat blobby when scrutinised closely.

Decals are again provided for prototype airframes 01 and 02, as well as some red hinomarus with white backing decals. Of interest to the British What-If fraternity is the inclusion of some British low-viz roundels, Royal Navy decals, and white gauntlet of 899 squadron plus the crossed swords over trident of 800 squadron. In light of recent events, those will doubtless now remain what-if.

Conclusion

These kits are great little additions to any collection, and capture the essence of the prototypes well, especially for the scale. Doubtless they will be compared to in-service airframes when the time comes and found to be wanting, but without the aid of a crystal ball, or access to state secrets, it'd be all speculation at this point.

Detail is good on both kits, and should satisfy the casual as well as the serious builder.

Review sample courtesy of

[Paul A H]

They look very impressive for 1/144!

[jamboseven]

They look cracking for 1/144

[Mike]

Don't they though? I'm planning on building them at some point

[James G]

Thanks for the helpful review Mike! I could be persuaded to get one of these even though I'm no great fan of the F-35.

[no4mkit]

Great review Mike. From a pic I've seen of a completed F-35A model the canopy seems undersized and flat. The box artwork seems to confirm this. If you've built the F-35A model since posting this review can you provide a side elevation photo?

Does anyone in the USA sell these models?

Canopy aside this looks much better than Revell's 1/144 X-35B.