1:72 F-35A Lightning-II wheels

F-35A Lightning II, resin wheels 1:72 (Armory)

This set replaces the plastic wheels of a model of the F-35A fighter in 1:72 scale. It is not a kit of the aircraft but an accessory for anyone who wants a landing gear more accurate than the out-of-the-box one. Resin manages a fine tread as well as a crisp transition between hub and tire, and on a modern, cleanly shaped aircraft those are details the eye notices sooner than on a dusty veteran.

The real subject

The F-35A Lightning II is a single-seat single-engined fifth-generation fighter with conventional takeoff and landing, that is the land-based version of the F-35 family. It differs from the carrier and short-takeoff versions in, among other things, its landing gear and the loads on it, which is why the manufacturer makes wheels for the individual versions separately and the sets are not interchangeable.

Working and painting

Wash the castings in lukewarm soapy water and let them dry properly. Cut the casting block off with a knife or a fine saw and level the remainder wet. On a modern aircraft it pays not to underestimate the preparation, because white and light gray landing gear paint will draw out every scratch. Use a primer: the hubs on fifth-generation machines tend to be light and clean, and such a shade goes on badly over untreated resin. Keep the tire in a dark gray with a matte coat and apply weathering sparingly, otherwise the model quickly loses its modern look.

Who the set is for

• Builders of current combat aircraft who refine landing gear details
• Modelers who object to round wheels with no contact patch on a model
• Collectors who display models at eye level
• Those building a comparative series of F-35 versions who want each version right

The set is supplied unpainted, as resin castings intended for further work. Paints, glue and the model of the aircraft are not included in the package.