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Panda 1/48 F-35 JSF

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4 replies
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  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Joisey
Panda 1/48 F-35 JSF
Posted by John P on Saturday, July 19, 2003 3:54 PM
Just finished this puppy:





Just for the hell of it, I put in USMC markings using Superscale Harrier decals.

The odd thing is, it's not really very accurate to the currently flying example. There are many missing vents and panels, and the canopy should be 2-piece to name two; they give you all the open panels for the forward lift fan and rotating tailpipe, but there's no option for the tailpipe to be other than straight; and there's no way in the world those missiles will fit in those closed weapons bays with the JDAMS inside too.

BUT: It's still a very well engineered, good-fitting, easy-to-build kit. The decals are sparse and thick, but go on okay, but are mostly fictional for possible future Danish and Belgian aircraft.

If Panda had gotten accurate research for the plane, this would have been a fantastic kit. As it is, it's a good kit but an inaccurate model.
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  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, July 19, 2003 6:24 PM
Well John, you did a pretty nice job on it! It looks like Panda could add a little more surface detail, though. How was the fit during construction? I'm a 1:32 scale man myself. Shouldn't be too long before I bring one of those home. Good Job!
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Joisey
Posted by John P on Saturday, July 19, 2003 7:52 PM
Parts fit is just fine! No complaints at all.
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  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, July 20, 2003 8:42 AM
Looks like you picked up the NATO F-35 version of the kit. They make two others, a USAF F-35B (I know, I know, should be an "A", but that's what it says on my box) which is the same thing as the NATO version except with closed weapons bays and different stickers. They also make USMC STOVL version with Royal Navy markings. That version does come with the main tailpipe in the "down" setting. I picked up the USAF version intending to build it in those markings, but it still has the STOVL's canopy, forward-fuselage shape and intake/exhaust doors due to the lift fan. So instead I'm doing what you did - pulling out the good ol' USMC Harrier markings.

Aside from the missing vents and canopy problems, to my knowledge the biggest difference between the X-35 and the F-35 versions will be the air intaks won't be as far forward along the fuselage. The USN version will use a USAF style bubble canopy, forward-fuselage, heavier landing gear, tainhook, and both a wider wingspan and tailspan.

http://www.lmaeronautics.com/products/combat_air/x-35/ (excellent galleries that show the differences between the three types)
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/xplanes/ (highly recommend one orders a tape of this)
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Joisey
Posted by John P on Sunday, July 20, 2003 7:05 PM
I didn't even know Panda MADE more than one version! This is the only one I've seen. (It did say NATO version on the box).
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