I’ve had issues with Italeri kits in the past, but this is the first F-35 I’ve built from them and I was impressed.
Molded in gray plastic, the parts show superb detail, especially on the surface.
The kit’s build options are limited to the angle of the rear nozzle and the canopy open or closed. The doors for the gear and weapon bays as well as the vertical flight fans and auxiliary intake are only shown open in the well-printed instructions.
Cockpit detail is OK, with decals for the consoles and instrument panel. I really appreciated that decals are also provided for the ejection-seat harness. Unfortunately, the seat lacks the ejection handle. However, everything fits well.
The intake tunnels were just lovely. The two pieces for each went together virtually seamlessly and look terrific from the front.
The upper and lower lift fans were separate from the housing and look fantastic. This assembly also made painting a snap as it could be done before all of the parts were joined.
The fuselage haves, including the wings, were divided into upper and lower halves and are well molded. Except for the RAM taped seams, which are raised, and, to my eyes, too pronounced. Maybe light sanding would reduce the effect.
The nose gear bay is molded into the front lower fuselage while the main gear bays are separate. Both have good detail, although maybe not as sharp as some other kits.
Italeri provides a full engine with separate fans front and rear. While much the external engine detail is hidden, it provides detail in the rear end of the model. The engine fits into a detailed rear bulkhead adding even more detail. Separate exhaust nozzles for lift and horizontal flight are included. They are finely detailed, which complicates seam cleanup.
The upper and lower airframe parts fit together perfectly.
Molded into the lower fuselage, the weapon bays feature good detail. Although it’s not called out in the instruction, the doors fit fine in the closed position without modification. I really appreciated the detail of the separate hinges for the weapon-bay doors. If you want to close the lift-fan or landing-gear doors, you will have to remove the hinges molded to the doors — not a big deal. Inside, details of the gear doors and lift fan doors are excellent and there were no ejector-pin marks.
Italeri provides wing pylons and weapons to model the so-called “beast mode.” Another nice feature is the inclusion of a detailed multipart weapon cart. The detail on the weapons is good and plentiful. Weighted tires are also a nice touch. The canopy is molded in a yellow tint, which really adds more realism to the final product.
Fit throughout was outstanding making assembly a breeze.
I painted with Testors Model Master enamels. The instructions call out light ghost gray for the RAM seams, but I think it’s too light. Decals are provided for some of the RAM panel outlines in a light gray.
The decals provide an international selection of markings, with one each from the U.S. Marine Corps, the British Royal Navy, and the Italian navy. I went with the British option; these vary a bit with regards to which seams get the RAM tape, easing masking. I’ve built four F-35s and masking these areas can take many hours.
The well-printed decals laid down beautifully without problems.
Italeri has produced an outstanding kit of the VTOL F-35. It goes together without issues, has good detail, and nice decals.
Conclusion
So, which is the better kit of the F-35,
Academy or Italeri? I have no definitive answer. Both have great detail and fits. Both are engineered nearly identically, give plenty of ordnance options, and cost about the same. It comes down to what you want. Academy provides more optional parts for posing the model and provides decals for the RAM tape. Italeri gives better detail in the lift fan and engine. For me, it’s the Italeri kit by a nose because of those features.
Note: A version of this review appeared in the September 2020 issue.