Lockheed Martin F35A Lightning II Academy 1/72

[demarcation]

Stealth mode for me as I will have a go with this. Ordered some Eduard stuff for the cockpit today which hopefully will arrive early next week.

IMG_5569 by mike c, on Flickr

IMG_5570 by mike c, on Flickr

en2CWSm by mike c, on Flickr

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a family of single-seat, single-engine, all-weather stealth multirole fighters. The fifth-generation combat aircraft is designed to perform ground attack and air defense missions. It has three main models: the F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant, the F-35B short take-off and vertical-landing (STOVL) variant, and the F-35C carrier-based Catapult Assisted Take-Off Barrier Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR) variant. On 31 July 2015, the United States Marines declared ready for deployment the first squadron of F-35B fighters after intensive testing.[10][11] On 2 August 2016, the U.S. Air Force declared its first squadron of F-35A fighters combat-ready.[12]

The F-35 descends from the X-35, the winning design of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. An aerospace industry team led by Lockheed Martin designed and manufactures it. Other major F-35 industry partners include Northrop Grumman, Pratt & Whitney and BAE Systems. The F-35 first flew on 15 December 2006. The United States plans to buy 2,457 aircraft. Its variants are to provide the bulk of the crewed tactical airpower of the U.S. Air Force, Navy and the Marine Corps over the coming decades. Deliveries of the F-35 for the U.S. military are scheduled until 2037[13] with a projected service life up to 2070.[14]

The United States principally funds the F-35 JSF development, with additional funding from partners. The partner nations are either NATO members or close U.S. allies. The United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, Canada, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Turkey are part of the active development program;[15][16] several additional countries have ordered, or are considering ordering, the F-35.

The program is the most expensive military weapons system in history, and has been much criticized inside and outside government, in the U.S. and in allied countries.[17] Critics argue that the plane is "plagued with design flaws," with many blaming the procurement process in which Lockheed was allowed "to design, test, and produce the F-35 all at the same time, instead of… [identifying and fixing] defects before firing up its production line."[17] By 2014, the program was "$163 billion over budget [and] seven years behind schedule."[18] Critics also contend that the program's high sunk costs and political momentum make it "too big to kill."[19]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_ ... ghtning_II

[Lysus]

Ah yes, when someone asks me to explain the sunk cost fallacy I point to this

It's a cool looking kit! I'll be over here...

[Twokidsnosleep]

Cool looking build, I want to get this kit and do the Canadian version to be someday
I think my house build is $163 billion over budget as well...at least it feels that way

[Avgas]

Good luck with the paint job! I've just finished the 1/72 Italeri F35, had a look at the paint job and thought 'Nah, this one is going to be in the new yet to be revealed overall grey'.

[demarcation]

Ah yes, when someone asks me to explain the sunk cost fallacy I point to this

It's a cool looking kit! I'll be over here...

Funded by the taxpayers.....

Cool looking build, I want to get this kit and do the Canadian version to be someday
I think my house build is $163 billion over budget as well...at least it feels that way

Yeah house builds are always over budget, I work in the building trade...

Good luck with the paint job! I've just finished the 1/72 Italeri F35, had a look at the paint job and thought 'Nah, this one is going to be in the new yet to be revealed overall grey'.

Yes RAM paint scheme and no masks available...
Overall grey could be an option

[demarcation]

I've managed to finish the cockpit. I used some PE parts from Eduard....

IMG_5581 by mike c, on Flickr

IMG_5590 by mike c, on Flickr

IMG_5588 by mike c, on Flickr

IMG_5587 by mike c, on Flickr


The weapons bay got a coat of insignia white. I painted some details on as well even though it probably won't
be visible on the finished model...

IMG_5585 by mike c, on Flickr

After an Ultimate dirt wash...

IMG_5586 by mike c, on Flickr

IMG_5591 by mike c, on Flickr

Underside and area around cockpit got a coat of primer and dark gray.

IMG_5593 by mike c, on Flickr

IMG_5592 by mike c, on Flickr

Cockpit and weapons bay glued into position.

IMG_5594 by mike c, on Flickr

IMG_5595 by mike c, on Flickr

Fuselage closed and a final coat of US gunship gray was sprayed on.

IMG_5597 by mike c, on Flickr

Nose and canopy got a coat of dark gull gray.

IMG_5600 by mike c, on Flickr

Light coat of aqua gloss to secure the paintwork.

IMG_5601 by mike c, on Flickr

Will now proceed with painting of the patterns on the wings/fuselage which I fear will be very time consuming.(I'll use a brush)...

[Lysus]

Nice work on those internals, man!

[demarcation]

Nice work on those internals, man!

Thank you very much Lysus!

[demarcation]

Just a small update on this build.

I painted the patterns on the wings/fuselage using the hairy stick(mostly)
Rudders/stabilizers and the nozzle were painted and glued on.
Then another coat of aqua gloss was sprayed on to prepare for the decals.

image (1) by mike c, on Flickr

image (2) by mike c, on Flickr

image (3) by mike c, on Flickr

image (39) by mike c, on Flickr

Next step will be decals and construction/painting of the landing gear, weapons etc.

[Muzrik]

That looks so good

[jnbattleship]

Looks very good.

[demarcation]

That looks so good

Looks very good.

Thanx very much guys!!

[demarcation]

Progress:

Decals were absolutely rubbish but on they went....

IMG_0016 by mike c, on Flickr

IMG_0017 by mike c, on Flickr
Weapons ready.

IMG_0039 by mike c, on Flickr

Pylons and weapons installed together with the landing gear. Close to the finish line now.

IMG_0044 (1) by mike c, on Flickr

Canopy unmasked and weapons/landing gear bay doors glued on.
A subtle Ultimate dirt wash and finally a coat of Vallejo satin varnish. I'll
call this F-35 finished. More pics to follow in the reveal section.
viewtopic.php?f=604&t=22523

IMG_0089 by mike c, on Flickr

[DrSprue]

Wow what wrong with Photobucket? Well coming in late but I watch as well!

[demarcation]

Wow what wrong with Photobucket? Well coming in late but I watch as well!

Pics are up again

[DrSprue]

Wow what wrong with Photobucket? Well coming in late but I watch as well!

Pics are up again

Oh wow that F35 looks awesome! Nice work!

[demarcation]

Wow what wrong with Photobucket? Well coming in late but I watch as well!

Pics are up again

Oh wow that F35 looks awesome! Nice work!

Thank you buddy!