Tamiya 60792 - 1:72 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II

Plastic model kit of the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighter in 1:72 scale

Tamiya 60792 depicts the F-35A Lightning II – the baseline version of the fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter, intended for conventional take-off and landing (CTOL). The F-35 combines advanced low-observable features with extensive network-centric systems, which sets it apart from earlier fighters.

The kit is from new Tamiya tooling, which brings to 1:72 scale many of the details known from the 1:48 kit. The airframe surface is covered with finely raised RAM panels, reproduced with great care.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with fuselage, wing and tail parts
• Finely raised RAM panels reproduced on the surface
• Detailed cockpit interior
• Clear canopy parts
• Waterslide decal sheet for the marking options
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:72
• Item number: 60792
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: approx. 218 mm, wingspan: approx. 149 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate

Note: glue, paints and modelling tools are not included. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

As a new Tamiya tooling it features good parts fit. Paint the cockpit before closing the fuselage and fit the canopy last, after painting – self-adhesive masks help with its finish.

F-35s usually wear a uniform, low-reflectivity dark grey finish. Lay the decals over a gloss coat to prevent silvering, then finish with a matt or satin varnish. The instructions provide paint references.

Tools you'll need:

• Modelling nippers for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for cleaning up sprue-gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Brushes of various sizes and modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Panel-line wash to emphasise detail and recesses
• Gloss varnish for the decals and a satin coat to finish
• Optional: self-adhesive canopy masks

About the aircraft – Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II:

The F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter developed under the Joint Strike Fighter programme. Advanced low-observable features and extensive communications and data-sharing systems make it a machine clearly different from earlier generations of fighters.

The F-35A version is the conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) variant, the most widely ordered of the three. It is operated by the U.S. air arm and by many allies, including European nations.

Original aircraft specifications (F-35A Lightning II):

• Length: approx. 15.7 m
• Wingspan: approx. 10.7 m
• Height: approx. 4.38 m
• Max take-off weight: approx. 31,800 kg
• Powerplant: Pratt & Whitney F135 afterburning turbofan
• Max speed: approx. Mach 1.6
• Armament: internal 25 mm cannon; stores in internal bays and on external hardpoints
• Crew: 1
• Feature: stealth multirole fighter, CTOL version

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 in Shizuoka, regarded as the heart of Japan's model-making industry. It launched its first injection-moulded plastic kit in 1960 and soon set a global benchmark for quality thanks to precise tooling and excellent parts fit. Tamiya's own-tooled kits are popular with beginners and experienced modellers alike, combining accurate detail with thoughtfully engineered, enjoyable assembly. Beyond plastic kits in many scales, the company offers a full range of accessories: paints, glues, tools and brushes. Tamiya operates in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable brands in the hobby.