F-35B Posed In Flight
![Album image #1 Album image #1](/albums/img/2/7/7/1559277-121823-76-720.jpg)
Already painted and ready for decals. Only 13 parts required for this in-flight pose, including the pilot!
![Album image #2 Album image #2](/albums/img/2/8/2/1559282-121823-55-720.jpg)
I used the included Humbrol paints for the main exterior and interior grey colours.
![Album image #3 Album image #3](/albums/img/2/7/8/1559278-121823-95-720.jpg)
The Humbrol paints are quite thick and I suppose really intended for application with the supplied brushes. I used an airbrush and found that thinning with water worked better than using my usual Vallejo thinners.
![Album image #4 Album image #4](/albums/img/2/8/1/1559281-121823-59-720.jpg)
The Humbrol grey was not very resilient. I had primed with Vallejo flat black primer and this became exposed at the wing roots through simply handling the model to mask it for the contrasting lighter panels. I touched up these areas before adding gloss clear coat and decals.
![Album image #5 Album image #5](/albums/img/2/7/6/1559276-121823-69-720.jpg)
The lighter panels at the nose, air intakes, control surfaces and on the tailplanes were added using Medium Sea Grey - the same shade I used as the main body colour of my Italeri F-35B.
![Album image #6 Album image #6](/albums/img/2/7/5/1559275-121823-62-720.jpg)
The starter kit nature of this model is reflected in its sturdiness: the wings and control surfaces have thick, square edges that I only really rounded off a little. The decals are also limited in number, but they are for the UK variant.
![Album image #7 Album image #7](/albums/img/2/7/9/1559279-121823-88-720.jpg)
The jet exhaust nozzle lacks the characteristic conical shape of the F-35. I haven't cemented the engine and nozzle in place, as I may consider replacing them once a more representative after-market one becomes available.
![Album image #8 Album image #8](/albums/img/2/8/0/1559280-121823-71-720.jpg)
This model is intended to represent a later plane than the Italeri one: once the RAF had established a scheme with matching (darker) paint and RF absorbent tape. This means no elaborate masking or decals and a very boring look. This is why I, at least, added the lighter nose and some other panels in a lighter colour.
![Album image #9 Album image #9](/albums/img/2/8/3/1559283-121823-35-720.jpg)
The kit comes with a stand and two mounting stems. I used the shorter vertical one, intended for the gear down build option, to hold the model for paining. This slightly longer canted version provides for a more dramatic in-flight pose. The 'shadow' base looks cool.
![Album image #10 Album image #10](/albums/img/2/8/4/1559284-121823-77-720.jpg)
That's better! The two kits complement each other perfectly. There is no doubt that the Italeri is the more complete kit and was much more of a rewarding challenge to build and paint, but I also needed to scratch the in-flight itch. The Airfix kit was a perfect contrast: a quick, easy build that captures the essence of the stealth nature of this plane in current UK service.
![Album image #11 Album image #11](/albums/img/9/3/4/1722934-121823-58-720.jpg)
I bought a resin exhaust for an F-35A and just used the nozzle.
![Album image #12 Album image #12](/albums/img/9/3/5/1722935-121823-87-720.jpg)
Its not a massive change but I feel better for having a more conical nozzle.
Comments
9 27 September 2023, 12:37
Album info
After completing my long-stashed Italeri F-35B I was a little frustrated that the underlying design was obscured by all the opened panels. I decided to complement it with a buttoned-up in-flight companion. The Airfix starter set looked ideal as it would be simple and quick to build, included a pilot and stand and was the only option to come with UK markings... (it was cheap too!)