Lockheed Martin F-35 (F-35B Marines STOVL) Lightning II 461st FLTS Edwards 1/72 Scale Diecast Model by Air Force 1

1:72 Scale  Metal Diecast – Lockheed Martin F-35B (STOVL) Lightning II  – Length: 9"  Wingspan: 6”

 This F-35B model is single seat and includes a pilot figure. The cockpit can not open. The landing gear is optional, one can select to display the landing gear in its extended position or to cover the wheel wells as in the inflight position. A metal stand where the model can be attached for display is included.  The stand is made entirely of metal, it is very sturdy and it is held together by a nut/screw assembly. The wheels can roll freely and are quite smooth (so be careful where you put this thing, or it could roll downhill). The fuselage is all metal and really quite heavy.

 For the particular variation of the F-35, the pieces to configure the plane in landing mode are included. These pieces make the model achieve a very interesting look, as all panels are opened and the lift fan behind the pilot is visible.  Moreover air intakes above and below the airplane are visible. Lastly, the thrust vectoring system is visible as the thrust nozzle is displayed to be pointing towards the ground.

 The internal weapons bay can be displayed in the opened and close positions. When it is in the opened position, six air to air missiles are visible.

The maker of the model, Air Force 1, really did a good job with the model, the panel lines and details are very crisp and one can see the little dots that represent the rivets holding down the panels.

This is really a "no-play" model or a "display-only" model. It is mostly metal and very heavy. It also has a number of antennas which look great but are very fragile. If you have small kids that like to play with your models, save yourself some frustration (and money) and wait till later to get a model like this one. The box is labeled as not suitable for children under 14.

The box measures 13 inches by 10 inches by 3.5 inches.

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a family of single-seat, single-engine, all-weatherstealth multirole fighters undergoing testing and final development by the United States. Thefifth generation combat aircraft is designed to perform ground attack, aerial reconnaissance, and air defense missions. The F-35 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.