Tamiya 60794 - 1:72 Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II

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

Tamiya 60794 depicts the F-35C Lightning II – the carrier (CV) version of the fifth-generation stealth fighter, adapted for carrier operations. This version is distinguished by a larger wing (increasing range and easing carrier operations), folding wingtips and an arrestor hook for carrier landings.

The kit is from Tamiya's own tooling – it uses the F-35A kit as a base, supplemented with parts specific to the carrier version. The airframe surface is covered with finely raised RAM panels. The decals finish the aircraft in one of six schemes, among them an aircraft from the carrier USS George Washington (Yokosuka, 2024).

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with fuselage, wing and tail parts
• Larger wing with folding tips and an arrestor hook for carrier landings
• Finely raised RAM panels reproduced on the surface
• Detailed cockpit interior
• Waterslide decal sheet for 6 marking options
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:72
• Item number: 60794
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: approx. 218 mm, wingspan: approx. 182 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 wings spread or with the tips folded. Paint the cockpit before closing the fuselage and fit the canopy last, after painting.

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 for all six schemes.

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-35C 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-35C version is the carrier (CV) variant, adapted for operations from aircraft carriers. It is distinguished by a larger wing with folding tips, reinforced landing gear and an arrestor hook, essential during operations from a ship's deck.

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

• Length: approx. 15.7 m
• Wingspan: approx. 13.1 m
• Height: approx. 4.48 m
• Max take-off weight: approx. 31,800 kg
• Powerplant: Pratt & Whitney F135 afterburning turbofan
• Max speed: approx. Mach 1.6
• Armament: stores in internal bays and on external hardpoints
• Crew: 1
• Feature: larger, folding wing and an arrestor hook for carrier landings

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.