Tamiya 60793 - 1:72 Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II

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

Tamiya 60793 depicts the F-35B Lightning II – the STOVL (short take-off and vertical landing) version of the fifth-generation stealth fighter. Thanks to a lift fan placed between the engine and the cockpit and a swivelling engine nozzle, the machine combines vertical landing with supersonic flight. The F-35B was developed among other things as a successor to the AV-8B Harrier II.

The kit is from Tamiya's own tooling – it uses the F-35A kit as a base, supplemented with parts specific to the STOVL version. The airframe surface is covered with finely raised RAM panels. The model can be depicted hovering (with the nozzle pointing downward) or after landing – two landing-gear sets (compressed and extended) are included.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with fuselage, wing and tail parts
• Lift fan and swivelling engine nozzle parts (STOVL)
• Two landing-gear sets (compressed and extended) – for hovering or after landing
• Finely raised RAM panels reproduced on the surface
• Waterslide decal sheet for the marking options
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:72
• Item number: 60793
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: approx. 217 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 Tamiya-tooled kit it features good parts fit. Before gluing, decide whether you are depicting the aircraft hovering or after landing – these differ in the nozzle position and landing gear, among other things. Paint the cockpit before closing the fuselage.

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-35B Lightning II:

The F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter developed under the Joint Strike Fighter programme in three variants differing in their take-off and landing method.

The F-35B version, developed among other things as a successor to the AV-8B Harrier II, combines short take-off and vertical landing with supersonic flight thanks to a lift fan and a swivelling nozzle. It can operate from both aircraft carriers and field sites, and is used by the U.S. Marine Corps and the armed forces of other nations, among others.

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

• Length: approx. 15.6 m
• Wingspan: approx. 10.7 m
• Height: approx. 4.36 m
• Max take-off weight: approx. 27,000 kg
• Powerplant: afterburning turbofan with a lift fan and swivelling nozzle (STOVL)
• Max speed: approx. Mach 1.6
• Armament: stores in internal bays and on external hardpoints
• Crew: 1
• Feature: short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL)

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.