Parts, colors, test kit build (+ paint) of Tamiya’s new 1/48 scale Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II
We’ve already released a preview of this kit from previous release information we saw in September, now Tamiya’s new 1/48 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II is coming to light not only with the paint and markings but also with the plastic parts on the runners. A test shot in the finished kit and painted condition. In our preview, we take a look at what Tamiya has released so far about this kit…
New information on Tamiya’s new Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II
The feature set is the second part of the information from Tamiya and is shown unpainted with the completed kit. In ink and paint mode showing 7 rivet panels:
-It is the plastic model mounting kit of the Air Force normal landing (CTOL) type F-35A Lightning II. 1/48 scale, overall length 326mm, width 222mm.
-Radar wave absorbing material (RAM) coating applied to the entire body is precisely adapted. The coating pattern of the radar wave absorber material (RAM) was applied to the entire surface of the aircraft and prepared with attention to detail. (The unpainted parts of the photo are shaded with black ink.)
-The curved Y-shaped air intake is accurately modeled. A full finish of the front landing gear hangar is shown here from the front. The coating EOTS sensor on the underside of the nose is a transparent part.
By choosing onboard weapons, you can recreate “Stealth Mode” without weapons outside the aircraft, “Air Mode” with anti-aircraft missiles only, and “Monster Mode” with maximum weapons. Trunk Bombay hatches can be installed open or closed. It’s up to you to choose which mode to do it in. The interior is replicated from the real thing, reproducing pipes and cables in precise detail. Weapons include AIM-9X and AIM-120C air-to-air missiles, GBU-12 laser-guided bombs and GBU-31 JDAM GPS
“Monster mode” can be used with weapons attached to 6 assembly stations under the main wing.
It can be presented with the canopy open or closed, and changes can be made even after completion. The nose-side pilot boarding ladder can be selectively installed in the extended or retracted state.
The canopy has special inserts so that it can be opened and closed, and it is adapted so that you can change it even after completion. The color of the mold has been smoked in order to get rid of the hassle of painting.
The kit comes with a pilot figure equipped with HMD (helmet mount display). It includes precise and detailed molding of the ejection seat. (The unpainted parts are shown in ink in the photo.)
A cockpit with a detailed molded touch panel features a large liquid crystal display. Various switches and control sticks are also reproduced in detail for an intense look. (The unpainted parts are inked in the photo.)
The characteristic shape of the F-35A Lightning II Engine nozzle is divided into 5 sections with a focus on sharp modeling and details.
Detailed structures such as booster channels and fans inside the nozzle are also made into different parts.
The fins can be neutral or optionally displayed at different angles in raised and lowered conditions.
The Norwegian Air Force’s drag chute (braking parachute) has been added as special equipment for container parts.
The kit with the trunk gun compartment covers closed – accurately molded with thin outlines of the wavy underside of the trunk.
Also to 9 countries’ markings such as the US Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force, stickers that reproduce RAM coating patterns, mask stickers for the canopy, and transparent parts are also included in the set.
The covering pattern and template of the plane and the marking paste instructions of the US Air Force plane are full-scale color drawings.
Also, special drawings (4 sheets of double-sided printing) were prepared for the branding of 8 more countries, taking into account the convenience of the work.
Markings are used to choose between the aircraft’s actual color, early production specifications where most of the panel lines are painted bright gray, and 2017 and later specifications where the entire fuselage is a nearly uniform dark gray.
-A set of signs and canopy mask stickers for 9 (!) countries, including the US Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, have been added to the set.
We hope our article gives you a better idea of what to expect in this upcoming model kit from Tamiya.