The F-35 ¿½ Lightning II is an ambitious project that aims to provide - in a single overarching design - aircraft tailored to three different services' distinct needs; that it does in the form of the F-35A (for the Air Force), F-35B (Marines) and F-35C (Navy). Perhaps the most stunning of the three is the innovative F-35B, which was designed to succeed the AV-8B Harrier II, and is a short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft thanks to a lift fan installed between the cockpit and the engine, plus the 3 Bearing Swivel Module mechanism. Rather impressively, it also manages to combine extremely low observability characteristics with exemplary situational awareness provided by the numerous sensors across the aircraft. The F-35B is expected to serve mainly from aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships; as of 2023, the British Royal Navy and the Italian Navy have started deployment, and the Japan Air Self Defense Force also expects to see F-35Bs with its units from 2024.

Specifications:

• This is a 1/48 scale plastic model assembly kit.
• Length: 325mm x Wingspan: 222mm.
• The model can be assembled as one of three types: parked, short takeoff and vertical landing.
• Fine recreations of Radar Absorbent Material (RAM) are molded into fuselage surfaces.
• Engine duct and nozzle are assembled into one of three positions depending upon the type of model chosen.
• The engine nozzle is made up of 5 parts and gives an accurate, crisply detailed finish.
• Parts are included for raised and lowered versions of control surfaces.
• A stand is provided for use when assembling a vertical landing model.
• The lift fan is integrated with the nose landing gear bay.
• This model offers excellent fuselage interior detail.
• A full complement of ordnance includes AIM-9X and AIM-120C missiles, plus GBU-12 and GBU-32 bombs.
• A total of seven marking options is included, covering aircraft from three nations.
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