1:72 ​F-35B Lightning II cockpit (Basic edition 3D decals included) for Tamiya kit

F-35B cockpit in 1:72 scale

An add-on set for the cockpit of the F-35B Lightning II combat aircraft, that is the version with short takeoff and vertical landing. The set is cut for the Tamiya kit in 1:72 scale and replaces its cockpit with its own parts. The basic form also comes with color 3D elements for the instrument panel and other surfaces of the cockpit.

Why it pays off on the F-35

The cockpit of the F-35 looks different from that of older machines: instead of a row of round dials it is filled by one large display panel, with clean surfaces around it. Such a surface is the hardest to paint in a small scale, because a mistake has nowhere to hide. A finished part with color elements solves the panel and its lettering at once. The seat and the cockpit walls also carry more detailed shapes than will fit into an injection-molded part.

Building tips

• The parts are not polystyrene; use super glue for bonding.
• Cut the excess material off with a sharp blade a little away from the part and sand the rest.
• Wash and degrease the parts before painting; the exact procedure is given in the manufacturer's instructions.
• The way the color elements are applied differs from range to range, so follow the manufacturer's instructions.
• Dry-fit the cockpit before the fuselage is glued together and take up any play by sanding.

Who the set is for

For modelers who build the F-35B in 1:72 scale from Tamiya and want more than bare plastic under the canopy. The kit, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.