1:48 F-35B Lightning II lift fan

The real subject

The F-35B Lightning II is the version of the American combat aircraft made for short takeoff and vertical landing. That is exactly why it has a vertically mounted lift fan right behind the cockpit, driven by a shaft from the engine. In the vertical regime doors open above it in the upper surface of the fuselage, the fan draws air in and drives it downward; together with the nozzle at the rear, which swivels toward the ground, this holds the aircraft in a hover. The open fan bay is one of the most striking features of the whole B version.

What the set contains

The set represents this assembly for a model of the F-35B in 1:48 scale. It comes into its own above all on a model built with the doors open, when the inside of the bay is visible and the plastic part from the kit is as a rule not enough for it. How many parts the package carries and which kit the set is designed around are given in the manufacturer's instructions.

Building and painting tips

The parts are not polystyrene, so the joint is held by cyanoacrylate glue, not by cement for polystyrene. Cut surplus material off with a sharp blade a little away from the part and sand the rest. Wash and degrease the surfaces before painting. Paint the bay and the blades and pick out the shadows before the assembly is seated in the fuselage, because after that a brush will no longer reach them.

Who it is for

The set suits a modeler who builds the F-35B in the ground configuration with the doors open and wants a more accurate fan. It is an accessory for a kit; the model itself, paints and glue are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.