1:48 F-22A

The real subject

The F-22A is an American single-seat fighter whose shape was subordinated by its designers to a reduced radar signature. Hence the smooth outlines with no needless protrusions, the carefully worked edges and the armament stowed in internal bays so that it does not hang in the airflow. For a modeler that means a machine on which every inaccuracy of the surface shows; clean edges and fine elements therefore decide the result more than on an aircraft of an earlier generation.

What the set contains

Photo-etched parts in thin metal sheet for a model of the F-22A in 1:48 scale. A metal fret allows thicknesses injection-molded plastic cannot reach, so it is used to replace elements that should read on the model as sheet metal, a grille or small equipment. Which parts the fret carries and where they belong are given in the manufacturer's instructions; follow those on when to fit them as well, because some of the work is done before the kit parts are closed up.

Building and painting tips

Work over a tray with a rim and with good tweezers, or a small part will end up on the floor. Separate the parts with a sharp blade on a hard surface and sand the remaining stub away with a fine abrasive. Make the folds over a sharp edge or in a bending tool so that they come out straight. For gluing, use cyanoacrylate applied on a pin and hold the part until it sets. Before painting, wash and degrease the sheet and use a base coat, because paint does not hold on smooth metal.

• 1:48 scale
• photo-etched parts for a model of the F-22A
• an accessory to a finished kit
• folded over an edge, glued with cyanoacrylate
• sheet metal takes a base coat before painting

Terms of supply

The aircraft kit, paints and glue are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.