1:48 F-35B Lightning II stencils

Eduard decals 1:48 - technical lettering for the F-35B Lightning II

The set 1:48 F-35B Lightning II stencils is an accessory to a model, not a kit. These are decals with so-called stencils, that is with the technical lettering and the maintenance markings that are scattered over the whole surface of the real aircraft: marks of access panels, warnings at the engine intakes, points for lifting and tying down, instructions for the ground crew. It is precisely these small things that make the difference between a model that looks like a toy and a model that comes across as a real machine in miniature.

The real subject

The Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II is the variant of the fifth-generation combat aircraft intended for a short takeoff and a vertical landing. Behind the cockpit it has a lift fan driven from the engine and the main nozzle swivels downward, thanks to which the aircraft operates from short surfaces and from the decks of ships without a catapult. It is operated by the US Marine Corps and by several allied countries. The surface of the F-35B is covered with unusually discreet, predominantly low-contrast markings, which are hard to imitate on a model without a separate set of decals.

Usage tips

• Apply the decals on a smooth gloss coat, because silvering arises on a matte base.
• Use decal softener, so that the carrier film is pressed down to the engraved lines and the rivets.
• Work over small areas and soak the excess water up with a cotton swab.
• Fix the finished markings by overcoating in a degree of sheen matching the real subject.
• Lay the small lettering down with tweezers that have flat jaws, so that the film does not crease.

Who the set is for

The set suits modelers who build the F-35B in 1:48 scale and want to add the technical markings beyond what they have in the kit. It will be appreciated too by those who have damaged the decals from an older package or whose decals have turned yellow.