1:72 Lockheed-Martin F-35C Lightning

The real subject

The F-35C is the carrier version of the single-engine F-35 Lightning II combat aircraft. It differs from the land-based versions above all in the wing: it has a larger one and its tips fold so that the aircraft takes up less room on deck. A strengthened undercarriage and an arrestor hook for landing on an aircraft carrier go with that. The cockpit is single-seat. The shapes of the aircraft are very smooth, so a model stands or falls with clean seams and with fine detail in the places where the surface breaks, that is mainly around the cockpit and the undercarriage bays.

What the set contains

The set is made up of photo-etched metal parts. Etching thin sheet away creates detail that injection-molded plastic cannot render in this scale, and the thickness of a part corresponds to real sheet metal far better than a plastic imitation. Which parts of the model the set covers and in what order the parts are fitted is described in the manufacturer's instructions.

Building and painting tips

Separate the parts with a sharp blade on a hard base and sand the remnant of the holder down with a fine file. Lead the bends in a bender or between two metal rulers. Metal is glued with super glue, which you should apply in tiny drops with the tip of a toothpick, not straight from the bottle. Before painting, wash the sheet, degrease it and coat it with a primer for metal surfaces. With smooth shapes it pays to paint in thin layers so that the detail you are buying the set for stays visible.

Who it is for

For modelers who build modern equipment and want detail on a small model that corresponds to reality. Unless stated otherwise, this is a separate accessory set and the kit, paints and glue are supplied separately.