My next build is another JASDF special marking bird. This time it’s the 50th Anniversary markings for the 301 Tactical Fighter Squadron’s F-35A Lightning II, which to be honest, has a very boring standard color scheme.
Hasegawa’s F-35 kit was one of the earlier releases of the production variant. Details are very good with the RAM tape modeled designed both as raised and recessed panel lines. The raised areas are subtle enough that I don’t think they look out of scale.
Parts breakdown is very simple with a 1-piece upper that includes the cockpit, main wings and stabilizers molded on that attaches tot a 1-piece bottom. There’s an option to open the weapons bay but I decided to leave the kit closed up and unarmed.
The seat is decent though it lacks both restraints and the somewhat prominent between-the-legs ejection ring. To be fair, the kit comes with a pilot and with the figure attached, these two details aren’t important anymore.
Nothing that some masking tape and copper wiring can’t fix though. The seat is a boring black color but thankfully Hasegawa provides decals for the red warning markings on the side to liven things up.
Everything is black and looks flat. I added some minor drybrushing to pop the details.
I think adding the restraints is important as it’ll be quite obvious if they were missing.
A modern aircraft deserves a large modern instrument panel, just like modern living rooms requiring a giant LCD TV.
The intakes are cleverly designed and includes the fan face.
Some pre-painting is required before installing into the kit.
Hasegawa has conveniently designed the demarcation line between the intake and opening to be the join line between the two assemblies.
There are two subassemblies to simulate a full intake trunking. Clever.
Some careful fitting is needed to align the side of the intake to the fuselage. I made a mistake here with alignment and had to do some re-positioning which caused the join line to be deeper than it needs to be.
I did what I can to fill the gap and at the same try not to sand away the recessed RAM panel lines.
It took some patience but I think I managed to hide the mistake.
The kit includes the four ‘Luneberg RCS enhancers’ or radar reflectors that are always attached in non-combat situations. Holes are required to be drilled out both up top and at the bottom. I left these out until final assembly after checking the instructions and noticed that decals will likely run under them.
Build Log
Pt.1 – Construction | Pt.2 – Construction | Pt.3 – Painting | Pt. 4 – Finishing
