Lockheed-Martin’s F-35C is the U.S. Navy’s big-wing version of the wonder-fighter and the latest of the fifth generation of stealth aircraft to go into service. Characterized by high-tech features combined with brutal thrust, the F-35 can sneak up on a target with stealth or go full-on “beast mode,” bristling with underwing weapons and not caring who sees it coming.
Trumpeter’s all-new 1/32 scale F-35C can be built either way, provided you do a bit of your own research. All the weapons and pylons are there for a full beast-mode load-out, but if you truly want to model it in stealth mode, you need to forego the radar augmentation antennas (parts B11, B13, B14, B15, and B16). Unmentioned in the instructions, all but B13 and B14 require you to drill holes, while these two antennas slot into sockets in the upper wing. I sliced them off at the surface of the wing.
That is not the only area to modify if you wish the kit to represent a configuration regularly seen on the boat: The tailhook assembly, as supplied, can only be mounted extended, even though Trumpeter includes a “squatted” nose gear assembly set for catapult launch. Leaving off the hook and modifying the doors to allow them to shut is a relatively simple modification.
The kit comes with full weapons- and landing-gear-bay detail, a detailed engine, and a nicely-detailed cockpit, complete with photo-etched metal seatbelts. Rubber tires round out the packed box. The fuselage halves are split horizontally and include nicely rendered surface detail. However, as is commonly found with other Lightning kits, Trumpeter overdoes the sealing joints surrounding stealth panels. However, the latest one-color paint schemes for the jet make the exaggeration less pronounced.
The cockpit assembly is simple — there aren’t many items in the real thing — but looks convincing under the crystal-clear canopy. The nineteen-part seat looks the part, and the included instrument panel decals fit perfectly. The whole assembly is an extremely tight fit into the upper fuselage half. I recommend leaving the seat out until the tub is in place.
Tab-and-slot walls for the weapons and gear bays comprise the rest of the interior. The fit is perfect, almost negating the need for glue. Given the amount and sheer size of the all-white weapons and gear bays, I pre-painted the areas around the bay openings to help with masking later in the build. I mounted the numerous detail parts into the bays after assembling the fuselage halves.
Trumpeter’s instructions have you drill holes for the underwing weapons pylons but do not tell you that it is an option only for beast mode.
The extensively-detailed engine includes numerous parts — none of which are remotely visible. I left all parts off the engine except the final afterburner ring assembly (parts L5 and L8). Leave the exhaust cone off until the end of the build to keep from needing to mask it. Don’t worry: The cone slots tightly in place.
You can’t see the turbine blades from the front, so you needn’t bother to paint them.
Trumpeter includes full intake trunking, and parts C5 and C10 make up the sidewalls of the fuselage. I mounted them to the lower fuselage to ensure the join line was not visible and to allow them to be painted gray without the need for complicated masking.
If you follow this path, assemble the rest of the intake only after you slot them in place with the engine mounted. The lower fuselage is packed with subassemblies, but they all fit tightly, and assembling the upper fuselage leaves only minimal gaps to address.
The rest of the kit goes together quickly with little fuss. The flaps need careful filling and re-scribing on their lower surfaces due to the unfortunate placement of the join line. Be aware that the main landing gear leg illustrations are reversed in name, but the part callouts are all correct.
If you leave off the nose gear for painting as I did, make sure not to mount the main trunnion (Part D6) until you mount the gear leg — I put it in place early and had to trim significant portions of the mounting pin and rear support leg to allow it to slot in place.
I finished the weapons separately without difficulty, although they took time to paint and decal. The gear and weapons doors have robust hinges, and I recommend finishing them separately.
The painting started with an undercoat of AK Real Color Have Glass Grey (No. RC245), which I found was too brown. This was then over-sprayed with MR Paint Camouflage Grey FS36170 (No. MRP-280), followed by a coat of Have Glass Special Matt Varnish (No. MRP-278) to give the Lightning that special sparkle you see in photos.
I left the seat out to easily mask the cockpit, and the canopy framework was painted separately. This tightly fitting part was glued down, followed by the canopy. The decals went on well but required care — they did not like to move unless floated into place.
This beast took just under 50 hours. It included some unexpected extra work — for instance, the disappointing need to modify the tailhook assembly. But, by and large, the fit was excellent, and the detail was quite good. Trumpeter’s 1/32 scale F-35C Lightning kit makes an impressive model when finished and will definitely not be very stealthy on your shelf.