1:72 F-35B Lightning II

What the set offers

Photo-etched parts for a model of the F-35B Lightning II in 1:72 scale. The etching is as thin as sheet metal at the right scale, and so it replaces shapes that injected plastic can only suggest with engraving at such a small size. In 1:72 scale that means a big difference on a small area. What exactly the sheet carries is given in the enclosed manufacturer's instructions.

The real subject

The F-35B is the version of the F-35 intended for short takeoff and vertical landing. Behind the cockpit it has a lift fan, and at the rear a nozzle that swivels downward for vertical flight, so the machine needs no long runway and can operate even from the deck of a smaller ship. It is a single-engine aircraft with angular shapes, on which the designers set out to limit the reflection of radar signals, and that is exactly where its unmistakable silhouette comes from.

Building and painting tips

• Separate the parts from the sheet with a sharp blade on a firm mat, not with nippers.
• Make the bends over a sharp edge or in a bending tool; an etching bends in a single movement.
• Glue with cyanoacrylate glue applied drop by drop, ideally with the tip of a piece of wire.
• Wash and degrease the etching before painting, because paint does not hold on greasy metal.
• Try the seating of the parts dry, as the plastic underneath usually needs reworking.

What the delivery contains

This is an add-on set for a kit. The aircraft model, paints and glue are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise. The position of the individual parts and the recommended procedure are given in the manufacturer's instructions.