Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II 1/48

Here comes another F-35 Lightning II variant, F-35B in our legendary 1/48 Aircraft Series. Developed under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program , the F-35 integrates multiple functions into its design and there are three types: the F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) aircraft, the F-35B short takeoff, vertical landing (STOVL), and the F-35C carrier takeoff and landing (CV).

The F-35B was developed as a successor of the AV- 8B Harrier II, and the U.K. - which along with the United States Marine Corps. employed many Harrier II - joined this program at early stage. The F-35B is recognized as the aircraft which accomplished both supersonic flight and STOVL by the 3-bearing engine duct nozzle and lift fan, and following the F-35A, the F-35B deployment started in 2015.

The first F-35B to see action was an aircraft belonging to the U.S. Marine Corps VMFA-211 “Wake Island Avengers” in Afghanistan, in September 2018. Not only the U.S. and the U.K. but also Italy employs the F-35B, and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force also plans to launch a new fighter squadron with F-35B from 2024 onward. As the F-35B can be operated from both aircraft carriers and airfields featuring short runway, many countries are considering its deployment, and the F-35B looks set to become a significant presence in the skies across the world.

About the Model

• This is a 1/48 scale plastic model assembly kit.

• The distinctive fuselage with highly advanced stealth characteristics is faithfully captured in style.

The model can be assembled in one of the following three ways;

- Parked

- Short takeoff - Takeoff from flight deck or airfield which features short runway. The lift fan behind the cockpit and diagonally downward engine nozzle help the aircraft’s short takeoff.

- Vertical landing - The lift fan and straight downward engine nozzle help the aircraft’s vertical landing. Two inside half-opened weapon bay doors help guide jet flow onto the fuselage underside to increase vertical liff for stable landing.

• This kit can be assembled with one choice of three ordnance patterns – stealth mode, air-to-air mode and beast mode.

• The lift fan depicted with ergonomic parts breakdown is integrated with nose landing gear bay. The inside fan shape is also realistically rendered.

• The variable vane under lift fan can be depicted at different angles.

• Shorter fuselage weapon bays compared to the F-35A are newly molded, and have detailed depictions of cables.• Choose parts according to the model type chosen.

- Rotary engine duct nozzle angles

- Open or closed fuselage weapon bay doors, and half-open two inside weapon bay doors to capture vertical landing

- Up or down leading-edge, trailing-edge flaperons and horizontal stabilizers

- Nose landing gear and main landing gear can be chosen between with or without load, according to chosen assembly type

- Open or closed canopy

- Extended or retracted boarding ladder

• The engine nozzle is broken down into five separate pieces for great detail.

• Martin-Baker US16E ejection seat is succinctly yet authentically captured.

• Slide-molded nose underside parts feature realistic renderings of outside details.

• Includes a stand which can be used when depicting vertical landing.

• Comes with decals to depict 7 marking options from a total of three countries (United States Marine Corps, Royal Air Force, Italian Air Force / Navy).

• Includes various kinds of ordnance: AIM-9X Sidewinder x2, AIM-120C AMRAAM x2, GBU-12 Paveway II x4, and GBU-32 JDAM x2 (which can be mounted to shorter weapon bays compared to the F-35A).

• Masking stickers for the canopy and a pilot figure are also included.