Tamiya 61125 Lockheed-Martin F-35B Lightning II 1/48 Scale Plastic Model Kit

Tamiya ventured into the modeling business in 1948, with a scale wooden ship model kit. Since then, Tamiya has been striving to offer merchandise that can truly be called 'First in Quality Around the World.' Now Tamiya is offering more than 300 different products, both in the fields of precision static models and high performance radio control vehicles. These products are not only sold in Japan but also exported in vast quantities to the United States, Europe, South East Asia, and to many other parts of the world. The standard of excellence achieved by Tamiya is regarded as among the very finest in the world of model hobbies. This finely detailed plastic model kit requires assembly and painting. Item is brand new and in its original factory packaging. Listing images are stock pictures provided by the manufacturer or the distributor. This model kit recreates the F-35 Lightning II variant F-35B in Tamiya's legendary 1/48 Aircraft Series. Developed under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program, the F-35 integrates multiple capabilities into a single design and is available in three types: the F-35A (conventional takeoff and landing), F-35B (short takeoff and vertical landing), and F-35C (carrier takeoff and landing). The F-35B, developed as the successor to the AV-8B Harrier II, achieved both supersonic flight and STOVL (Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing) performance through its 3-bearing engine duct nozzle and lift fan system. Following the F-35A, the F-35B entered deployment in 2015, with its combat debut occurring in September 2018 when a U.S. Marine Corps VMFA-211 'Wake Island Avengers' F-35B was used in Afghanistan. In addition to the U.S. and U.K., Italy also operates the F-35B, and Japan is set to launch a new fighter squadron with the type starting in 2024. With its ability to operate from both aircraft carriers and short runways, the F-35B is poised to play a prominent role in air forces around the world. This 1/48 scale plastic model assembly kit can be built in one of three configurations: parked, short takeoff, or vertical landing. Modelers can choose from three ordnance loadouts—stealth mode, air-to-air mode, or beast mode. The lift fan, integrated with the nose landing gear bay, features a realistic interior fan rendering, and the variable vane can be depicted at different angles. Shorter fuselage weapon bays, newly molded for this variant, include detailed cable depictions. Additional configurable parts include rotary engine duct nozzle angles, open or closed fuselage weapon bay doors, partially open internal bay doors for vertical landing, positionable flaperons and stabilizers, loaded or unloaded landing gear, open or closed canopy, and extended or retracted boarding ladder. The engine nozzle is comprised of five detailed components, and the Martin-Baker US16E ejection seat is precisely rendered. The kit includes a stand for vertical landing display, decals for seven marking options from the United States Marine Corps, Royal Air Force, and Italian Air Force/Navy, and various armaments: AIM-9X Sidewinder x2, AIM-120C AMRAAM x2, GBU-12 Paveway II x4, and GBU-32 JDAM x2 (compatible with the F-35B's shorter weapon bays). Also included are masking stickers for the canopy and a seated pilot figure. Shared parts with the F-35A kit (Item 61124) include Trees A, B, C, and E, while newly molded Trees Y, X, R, V, W, U, T, Q, and P are exclusive to this F-35B kit (Item 61125).