New F-35B Lightning II ready for Airfix service
Welcome to this latest edition of our Workbench blog and all the news, updates and modelling exclusives from the fascinating world of Airfix.
In the previous edition of Workbench, we discussed how our new generation of Starter Set kits have quite the role to play in the future of both the Airfix brand and for the modelling hobby in a wider sense, but how our Product Designers have risen to this rather specific challenge in some style. For this week's update, we will be staying with the subject of Starter Sets to bring you the latest development update from a 2023 new tooling project which arguably shoulders the greatest responsibility any of these new kits carry when it comes to what's expected of them, our new 1/72nd scale Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II Starter Set kit.
In this second blog update from the project, we will not only be looking at why so much is expected of this particular kit, but we will also be taking a closer look at the scheme details accompanying the release of this new kit, with the additional bonus of an exclusive first look at a selection of built model images finished in both build configurations the new kit allows. As one of the most advanced combat aircraft ever to take to the skies, we will see how this magnificent aircraft is about to become an Airfix favourite with modellers of all capabilities, from first timers to those who have many airmiles in their personal Airfix log books.
STOVL sensation swooping in for Airfix
A new model kit with a significant hobby role to perform, the new 1/72nd scale Airfix Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II Starter Set is a scale representation of the most advanced combat aircraft to ever see Royal Air Force service and one which is destined to remain in service for the next forty years.
When it comes to modern combat aircraft types, only one has a genuine claim to being the most capable and most survivable aircraft the world has ever known, an aircraft which doesn't just boast of future capabilities, but is actually in the air and showing them right now, the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. More than this, with three distinctly different variants already in service, the STOVL capable F-35B is regarded as the best of the best, the most versatile and mission ready version of the world's most capable combat aircraft. This is the variant Britain selected as its combat aircraft to take the Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm into a new era of aviation capability and flexibility and it seems that with every passing week, the aircraft continue to achieve new 'firsts' and underline their unrivalled credentials.
For those of us with fond memories of seeing Britain's Harrier and Sea Harriers holding Airshow audiences captivated with their unique displays of high speed forward flight, followed by a hovering bow of acknowledgement to the gathered masses, the F-35B is all that and so much more, however, with just around 26 aircraft currently in service and the aircraft still negotiating its complex integration process, it's probably true to say that the wider British public have yet to become acquainted with the F-35B, but when they do, they are surely going to love it just as much as they did the Harrier.
As we embark on another summer of Airshow events around the country, the RAF's Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II will undoubtedly be the highlight of any event it attends, serving as a high profile show of capability for the modern force and also as the most effective recruitment tool the RAF could possibly have at this time. The more the aircraft performs at such events, the more the public will relate to this aviation marvel and at the end of the day, as our tax pounds are used to purchase these incredibly expensive machines, they really do need to get everyone on-side, so to speak. In simple aviation terms, the aircraft is a technological marvel and even when one of these 27 ton behemoths is hovering majestically on a column of hot air, the real clever stuff is all going on internally.
A spectacular impending addition to the Airfix range, the new Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II Starter Set can be finished in two very different configurations. Using the shadow stand, the model can be finished in clean forward flight mode, or in distinctive hovering configuration with all doors open and undercarriage deployed, either on the stand as seen at an Airshow, or just in ground display mode.
As the aircraft which if it isn't already, is destined to become the highest profile aircraft in British service for many years to come, this is basically our current Spitfire and as such, will probably be the aircraft most members of the general public will become familiar with. We say Spitfire, even though the role profile of the two aircraft are rather different - although the Spitfire was an interceptor (in the same role the QRA Typhoons of the RAF perform today), it was intended to dominate the skies and in that regard, it shares the same role as the F-35B. Perhaps more than any other combat aircraft in the history of aviation, the F-35 is equipped with technologies which are specifically designed to confuse and disorientate an enemy, whilst at the same time communicate with friendly forces in a way which will give them an unprecedented control of the strategic situation, maximising their impact and ensuring the most devastating response once given authorisation to do so. In summary, the F-35 is quite a bit of kit and in its 'B' variant form, is just about the most flexible combat capable aircraft in the world.
With credentials such as these and the fact that fast, noisy and smart looking aeroplanes have always been of huge interest to youngsters, Britain's Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning IIs has to be regarded as the aircraft of the moment and therefore, the subject most youngsters are going to want to build a model of. As parents, we know only too well that if we take our children to an Airshow and they see an F35B performing, the one thing they are all going to say when all the noise has subsided is, 'Can I have one of those?' and of course, it's our job to deliver. As building a traditional model kit might be a little too challenging for a first time or inexperienced modeller to take on, particularly as all they really want is a finished scale representation of this awesome aeroplane, we knew that our latest generation of Starter Set kits were crying out for the inclusion of an F-35B and our product designer Paramjit Sembhi was determined to deliver something special.
Paramjit and the wider Airfix team had been thinking about the future of the modelling hobby and how to attract younger 'first timers' to modelling for some time, a task which was made all the more difficult due to the plethora of electronic device distractions the youth of today are continually exposed to. Bringing their combined industry experience to bear and utilising all the very latest advancements in design and manufacturing technology, they have created a new breed of Airfix kit, ones which incorporate all the features our scale model kits are famous for, but in a much simplified construction format, with less parts for the modeller to contend with and simple, intuitive assembly guidance for them to follow. All these steps were taken to support the first time and novice modeller in spending an enjoyable couple of hours modelling a scale representation of the thrilling Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II and at the end of it, coming away with a beautifully finished model to display and admire and of equal importance, having enjoyed the experience of building it.
The new kit may well be designed with simplified construction and less parts, however, it still includes a host of options to allow two very different configurations of the aircraft to be modelled.
As a kit subject, we knew that the F-35B carried more responsibility than any other destined for inclusion in this new Starter Set range, by virtue of the fact that it has an ever growing influence within Britain's military, it has an unrivalled aviation reputation and the fact that it is due to remain in service for the next forty years, or so. All this means that more people will come into contact with, or be aware of the F-35 than possibly any other aircraft type in history, by the way information is shared these days and as a consequence, is highly likely to be a modelling subject most often attempted by first time and inexperienced modellers. With that in mind, this little kit might have a significant role to play in not only ensuring the public popularity of the F-35B Lightning, but also in encouraging more youngsters to discover the simple pleasure of modelling. As it really is a human trait to want to build and create things, could this new kit actually tear youngsters away from their mobiles and games consoles for a couple of hours and allow them to experience a pastime which has brought so much pleasure to so many people over the past sixty-eight years or so?
Well, we won't have to wait long to find out now, because by the time the first Royal Air Force F-35B Lightning II display takes place during this summer's Airshow schedule, any trader worth his salt will have our new Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II positioned front and centre on their display stand, ready deal with the rush of people looking to secure their example as a memento of their first F-35B experience. With the kit currently scheduled for release early next month, let's take a look at the scheme/painting guide option which is featured with this latest new Starter Set offering.
The Lockheed F-35 Lightning project began in 1990s and was a program intended to produce a capable new combat aircraft which was not just a modern replacement for the F-16 Fighting Falcon, but actually a replacement for several US aircraft types in service at that time. Crucially, it was intended to use the same basic design to provide a new aircraft for the US Air Force, the US Navy and the US Marine Corps, quite a tall order for the design team. In addition to this, development included the involvement of partner nations, as it was intended that the new aircraft was always going to be available as an export option.
Making use of all the very latest cutting edge technologies, and with a punishing design brief to satisfy, the project was beset with delays and cost overruns from the outset and with the media regularly commenting only on the negative aspects of the project, it really did seem as if more people wanted the project cancelled than those who wanted to see it in service and patrolling world skies. Thankfully, with the F-35 now in widespread service, all those issues seem to be in the past and this impressive multi-role aircraft is finally showing the world what it can do.
The F-35 comes with quite a reputation and from a design perspective, employs a bewildering combination of technologies which have only been possible over recent years. Significantly superior to anything potential adversaries could develop and introduce over the next 20 years or so, this really is a technological marvel, an aircraft designed to outlast all of its potential combat competitors. Described as being three times more effective in recognising and neutralising enemy air defences than any other aircraft, it is also second only to the F-22 Raptor in its air superiority capabilities and is claimed to be the most affordable, lethal and supportable aircraft ever produced.
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II has been produced in three distinctly different variants, each one intended for a different branch of the US military and each one possessing unique features and capabilities. The F-35B variant Britain elected to take is arguably the most versatile combat aircraft in the world today and one which possesses many of the operational qualities the much loved Harrier did, only in a 5th generation, long-range stealth strike fighter package.
Full painting and decal instructions are displayed on the back of this new Starter Set kit and feature and RAF F-35B in No.617 Squadron 'Dambusters' markings.
F-35B - Arguably the most exciting and technologically advanced variant of this amazing aircraft, the F-35B is STOVL (Short Take Off and Vertical Landing) capable and employs innovative variable thrust technology which makes this the most versatile combat aircraft in the world today. This variant can take off in extremely short distances and land vertically, attributes which make it suitable for use off aircraft carriers and similar to the Harrier, capable of operating from short field locations and those which are described as dispersed and rudimentary at best. This is the variant operated by the Royal Air Force, the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy, the US Marine Corps and the Italian Air Force.
Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II ZM153 is chronologically the nineteenth F-35B built for the UK, making its first flight in August 2020 and arriving at RAF Marham as part of the fourth batch of aircraft delivered on 30th November 2020. The aircraft took off from MCAS Beaufort in South Carolina with two other F-35Bs bound for the UK, making the flight across the Atlantic Ocean with the support of RAF Voyager airborne refuelling aircraft. When the aircraft arrived at RAF Marham, they joined a further fifteen aircraft which had all made this trip before them, with a further three aircraft retained at Edwards Air Force Base, used by RAF No.17 Squadron in a Test and Evaluation role. It is thought that by the end of this year, Britain will have received 48 F-35B jets, with at least 24 of these (two full squadrons) being available for active deployment aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth should they be required.
Simplified construction, a reduced part count, but still 100% Airfix - the new Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II Starter Set is likely to be a best-selling kit for many years to come.
The full box design produced to support the release of the new F-35B.
The initial operational capability for Britain’s F-35B Lightning force was declared on 10th January 2019 for land based operation and subsequently for carrier based operations in late 2020. The first deployment for RAF F-35B Lightnings occurred in May 2019, when 'Exercise Lightning Dawn' saw six aircraft deployed to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus and during this deployment, two aircraft performed the first combat operation for the type, a Combat Air Patrol over Syria as part of 'Operation Shader'.
Current Royal Air Force Squadrons operating the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II are No.17 Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base in a Test and Evaluation role, No.207 Squadron at Marham as the Lightning Operational Conversion Unit and No.617 Squadron 'The Dambusters' also at Marham, currently the UK's only operational front line F-35B unit. Later this year, No.809 Naval Air Squadron will become the second operational UK F-35B Lightning II unit, a clear illustration of how this magnificent aircraft is as effective operating from a land based airfield as it is from the decks of one of Britain's new super carriers.
From May to December 2021, eight F-35B aircraft from RAF No.617 Squadron, a number which included ZM153, embarked on HMS Queen Elizabeth for the carrier's first operational deployment. They were joined by ten F-35Bs of the US Marine Corps' VMFA-211 Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 'Wake Island Avengers' and 180 US personnel, in a deployment which highlighted the joint operability of this advanced new aircraft in tandem with fellow NATO allies. The successful seven month deployment across the Indo-Pacific region as part of 'Operation Fortis' was a significant development in the ongoing integration of the F-35B and during that time, this was the largest fifth generation Carrier Air Wing to be found anywhere in the world.
Unfortunately, during this deployment, the UK lost their first F-35B, as a Lightning suffered a significant loss of power during its take-off run, forcing the pilot to eject just seconds before the aircraft hit the water, thankfully emerging unscathed from the incident. An investigation later found that failing to remove an intake rain cover was the cause of the loss of power, something which turned out to be a rather expensive mistake. In a complex joint services operation, the submerged aircraft was later recovered and it has been confirmed that a replacement aircraft will be procured.
A beautiful new model, if you are going to attempt building a model kit for the very first time, it really should be something of a looker!
The RAF's modern Dambuster, the F-35B Lightning II is the most capable combat aircraft to have ever seen RAF service.
Clearly, 2023 is going to be a significant year for No.617 Squadron of the Royal Air Force, as this coming May will mark the 80th Anniversary of the famous Dambusters Raid against the great dams of the Ruhr Valley and their aircraft will be in great demand to perform commemorative flypast and requests for Airshow attendance throughout the year. The association between the F-35B and arguably the RAF's most famous squadron is one which current squadron members are extremely proud of and if there was ever an occasion with which to effectively underline both the capabilities and continuing integration of the F-35B Lightning II into Britain's armed forces, then the Dambusters 80th Anniversary could hardly be more appropriate.
With the UK scheduled to eventually procure around 138 F-35B Lightning II jets, the era of an aircraft type which is actually the third RAF aircraft to carry the Lightning name is only just dawning and with the aircraft possessing the ability to become ever more capable through both hard and software upgrades throughout its service life, the RAF's F-35 Lightning Force will be at the forefront of our military capabilities for many years to come.
Up to this point, around 890 F-35 aircraft of all variants have already been delivered to both US operators and 16 of their international allies and partners. Possessing incredible computing power, each F-35 is described as being an aviation 'Quarterback in the sky', actually shaping the battlefield and making it more survivable for other, more numerous (if less capable) 4th generation combat aircraft. Stealthy but not invisible to radar, the F-35 has been described as having the radar signature of a bird rather than a combat aircraft, and when combined with other technologies, is designed to diminish the effectiveness of enemy radar detection capabilities to such a point where it can get close enough to destroy it using one of its internally carried weapons, but crucially, before the enemy can detect the F-35 Lightning to launch its own attack.
Designed for success, the new 1/72nd scale Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II Starter Set will hopefully encourage many new modellers to have a go at building their first model kit.
Once control of the skies has been achieved, the Lightning can carry 4 weapons internally and many more on six wing mounted external hard points and is effectively positioned as a first look, first shoot, first kill combat aircraft platform. The most capable, survivable and affordable combat aircraft the world has ever known, the awesome capabilities of the F-35 Lightning will be regularly enhanced throughout its service life with clever software architecture offering almost unlimited potential for future operational improvements, for what is already an incredibly capable aircraft. Intended to be in service for at least the next 40 years, the era of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning is here and now and it undoubtedly has a significant role to play in the future of world air power.
Every millimetre of this incredible aircraft has been designed for a specific reason and with a defined purpose in mind and whilst manufacturers of other combat aircraft talk about how good their aircraft are in a combat scenario, the F-35 is just getting on with the job of showing what that actually looks like operationally. One F-35 pilot said of the aircraft, 'This is one combat aircraft which is not going to be bullied' and if a Lightning were your assigned mount, this statement would surely fill you with great confidence.
Initially, the main issue which adversely detracted from the reputation of the aircraft was the eyewatering costs associated with the project, however, as production facilities are now working at full capacity and there appears to be no shortage in worldwide orders for the F-35, the unit cost for each new aircraft has witnessed a significant reduction. UK officials reported that the current price of an F-35 is some 24% lower than that of the first aircraft they received, a development which will hopefully take the pressure of budgetary constrains and allow the RAF and Fleet Air Arm to take up their original stated requirement for at least 138 aircraft.
As far as the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning IIs introduction to the Airfix Starter Set range is concerned, we are delighted to confirm that the kit is scheduled to arrive in our warehouse at the beginning of next month and should be available at a large number of retail sites during the coming Airshow season, in addition to always being available on the Airfix website. The built model images we are exclusively sharing with readers this week have been finished using production sample frames from the new kit and were completed by the kit's designer Paramjit - what on earth would we do without him!
Grab and Go, the new Airfix F-35B Starter Set kit will allow a beautiful scale representation of this distinctive aircraft to be built and on display with a minimum of effort and without the need for prior model making experience.
The previous F-35B development feature recently published in Workbench can be accessed HERE, where you can discover how Paramjit managed to immortalise this awesomely capable aircraft as a scale Airfix model kit and more specifically, how its design will hopefully help introduce many new modellers to the delights of this wonderful hobby. It will be interesting to see if the new F-35B Starter Set kit gets close to matching the popularity of the already available Spitfire Vc kit in the months ahead, another design project which was introduced to the range by Paramjit. We look forward to watching this contest unfold, as the two kits go head to head during this year's UK Airshow season.
We are afraid that's all we have for you in this latest edition, but we will be back next Friday with more project development updates and the very latest Airfix kit exclusives. In the meantime, we are always keen to hear your views on all things Airfix and in particular, any thoughts and opinions you may have regarding our Workbench blog. If you would like to drop us a quick line, could we please ask that you use our workbench@airfix.com email for all correspondence.
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