1:72 F-35A Lightning II

The real subject

The Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II is an American single-seat fifth-generation fighter. The A version is the land-based variant with conventional takeoff and landing, that is the most widespread of the three forms of the family. The shape of the airframe, subordinated to low reflectivity, means smooth surfaces without disturbing projections for a modeler. All the more, then, do the crisp edges, grilles and small panels that cannot be molded in plastic stand out on a finished model.

What the set contains

A set of photo-etched parts from thin metal sheet. Photo-etch differs from plastic in holding a thickness below the limit that injection molding and casting cannot reach: small panels, grilles and strips then look exactly as delicate as on the real aircraft. The parts are held on a fret by thin tabs and are separated only just before fitting.

Building and painting tips

• Separate the parts with a sharp scalpel on a hard surface, not with nippers, otherwise the edge goes wavy.
• Make the bends over the edge of a rule or in a bending tool, because the metal must not crack in the bend.
• Glue the metal parts with cyanoacrylate, because modeling cement for plastic has no effect on them.
• Degrease the surface before painting and use a primer, otherwise the paint will not hold on smooth metal.
• Plan the fitting before you close the fuselage, because the interior is out of reach later.

Who it is for

For modelers who are bothered by chunky plastic parts on a finished model and who already have experience of working with tweezers. A build with photo-etch is slower than work with plastic alone, but the result is finer at first glance.

The package contains photo-etched parts only. The kit, paints and glue are not included, unless stated otherwise.