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1:72 Scale  Metal Diecast – Lockheed Martin F-35B (STOVL) Lightning II 301 Sqn. JASDF – Length: 9"  Wingspan: 6”

This F-35B model is single seat and includes a pilot figure. The cockpit can not open, instead, the model includes to canopies; one in the opened position and one in the closed position. One has to be very careful when changing/installing these pieces as they are held in place by only a very fragile peg.

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 plastic stand where the model can be attached for display is included.  The fuselage is all metal and 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. Inside the weapons bay one can select whether to put a pair of bombs or a pair of air to air missiles.

The maker of the model, Hobby Master, 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.

The box is labeled as not suitable for children under 14.

The F-35 is descended from the X-35, which was the winning design of the Joint Strike Fighter(JSF) program. It is being designed and built by an aerospace industry team led by Lockheed Martin. Other major F-35 industry partners include Northrop Grumman, Pratt & Whitney andBAE Systems. The F-35 took its first flight on 15 December 2006. The United States plans to buy 2,457 aircraft. The F-35 variants are intended to provide the bulk of the manned tactical airpower of the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps over the coming decades. Deliveries of the F-35 for the U.S. military are scheduled to be completed in 2037.