Kitty Hawk 1/48 F-35C Lightning II

[Ads24]

Well, that was hard work! I should know by now that Kitty Hawk kits take some effort, but I did really like the look of this F-35C, which is the Navy's variant. It fought me all the way, and I'm not thrilled with the result, but thought I'd put it up here anyway just as proof it didn't beat me!



One of the things that took ages on this build was masking all the raised details which are painted a lighter grey. There has to be an easier way! I don't track how long builds take - that's not what it's about for me, but do estimate all this masking took about 15 hours!







One plus point, though, is that it looks pretty mean armed to the teeth!





Anyway, thanks for looking. Cheers

[JediBoer]

Wow, it looks stunning! Have been looking at the kit but heard that it has a couple of issues. Great to see you stuck to your guns and finished it! Absolutely stunning paint job! Thank you for sharing!

[Ads24]

Wow, it looks stunning! Have been looking at the kit but heard that it has a couple of issues. Great to see you stuck to your guns and finished it! Absolutely stunning paint job! Thank you for sharing!

That's very kind, thank you.

[1001kjk]

Very nice

[martin57]

Very nice all that hard work has payed of it looks great

[m4rky]

Stunning. It looks fantastic. Well done.

Would it have been easier to paint it in the lighter grey first then mask them light grey off and paint the dark grey on top???

I've fancied getting one of these but it's a bit beyond my basic modelling skills at the moment. Maybe by the time I'm up to it someone will have a better kit out with pre cut masks

[Ads24]

Thanks for the comments, guys.

[Ads24]

Would it have been easier to paint it in the lighter grey first then mask them light grey off and paint the dark grey on top???

I did think about this, but it would have left the sides of the slightly raised light grey detail to be covered up by the darker grey. You're very right, though, pre-cut masks would have been a massive help!

[planemaker]

Superb work! at your masking skills. It's a beast!!
Although I am not a real fan of modern aircraft models, this is one of the kits I really want to get my hands on.
-There is nothing more bad-ass then a F-35 armed to the teeth!
So can I ask you a question, what do you think are the weak spots on this kit
and what are the benefits?

[Ads24]

So can I ask you a question, what do you think are the weak spots on this kit
and what are the benefits?

Thanks for your comment. There are certainly problems with the kit - there are fit problems, particularly with the cockpit where the control console requires a bit of surgery to make it fit. There are also errors in the instructions, and although the kit has good detail, the parts are very softly moulded with problematic epms. There are also no out-of-the-box options to have the arrestor hook and refuelling probe retracted. Finally, the decals crack quite easily, which might be a problem if you pick a scheme which requires some large decals.

On the plus side, if you take your time and dry fit, it does build up into an impressive and detailed kit. Oh, and make sure to have a straight forward kit to follow it up with to get the modelling mojo back!

There is a good build review of the F-35C here:

http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/build ... 0132.shtml

Hope this helps!

[planemaker]

So can I ask you a question, what do you think are the weak spots on this kit
and what are the benefits?

Thanks for your comment. There are certainly problems with the kit - there are fit problems, particularly with the cockpit where the control console requires a bit of surgery to make it fit. There are also errors in the instructions, and although the kit has good detail, the parts are very softly moulded with problematic epms. There are also no out-of-the-box options to have the arrestor hook and refuelling probe retracted. Finally, the decals crack quite easily, which might be a problem if you pick a scheme which requires some large decals.

On the plus side, if you take your time and dry fit, it does build up into an impressive and detailed kit. Oh, and make sure to have a straight forward kit to follow it up with to get the modelling mojo back!

There is a good build review of the F-35C here:

http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/build ... 0132.shtml

Hope this helps!

Thanks for your answer. The review helped alot. Appreciate it.

Now looking at the review of the kit I can see that it's got some great detail and probably wouldn't need any after-market improvements if PE seatbelts are included. On the other hand the fit issues and the ejector pin marks in bad places sounds more like a short-run kit like mentioned in the review. I have built lots of short-run kits and have a bunch of them in the stash too, so I know how problematic these fit problems can be.
The decals sound like they need to be taken with care with and make sure not to use too much setting solution because that makes the decal more fragile.
I am quite surprised now when I see the prices of the Kitty Hawk kits, they are quite expensive for the kind of problems they have.

So, with that in mind I still think this kit is still worth the work, the end result is really worth it, when looking at your pics, it's a magnificent piece of art!

I've learnt that with a good challenge now and then you really become a better modeller.


Take care, happy modelling!

[patrickroos]

Holy mother of all masking jobs!

Stunning work, stunning result!
Really nice...

[Avgas]

I think you deserve a medal just for the masking! Very impressive job.

[Ads24]

I think you deserve a medal just for the masking! Very impressive job.

Haha! Thanks - but there has to be an easier way!

[Lee1979]

Very nice top job mate