Hobby Master 1/72 Lockheed Martin F-35B (STOVL) BF-01, USMC, 2010s

The USMC plans to replace their F/A-18, AV-8B and EA-6B with the new Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II. On March 18, 2010 at Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland's Integrated Test Force (ITF) from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 the first F-35B prototype BF-01 lifted off with the runway using less than 1000 feet and only 80 knots of speed. After 13 minutes of flight BF-01 used its 41,000 pounds of thrust to hover 150 feet above the ground and then slowly descend to a successful first vertical landing.

Designed to meet the US Military's requirement for a multi-role Joint Strike Fighter, the F-35 was first flown on December 15, 2006. This single-seat fighter is one of the most advanced aircraft of our time, said to be four times more effective at air-to-air combat and eight times more effective at air-to-ground combat than any other existing aircraft. It uses a low-maintenance stealth technology, and some versions have an innovative Lift System, which gives the F-35 vertical take-off and landing capabilities. The US plans to buy a total of 2,443 F-35s at a cost of $323 billion, which makes the F-35 the most expensive defense program in history.

Features:
- Scale 1:72
- Length: 8.5" width: 5.75"
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals
- Opening canopies, revealing detailed cockpit interiors
- Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear
- Presentation stand to display the aircraft "in flight"
- Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards
- Accurately detailed underside with concealed screwheads