Meng are sure to cause a storm with their new Lightning...

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II - cutting edge, technologically complex, and controversial - the jury is still out on its service - but modellers are certainly interested in it. This one from Meng looks to improve on what is out there - we have the feature list of what is promised and a few pictures in our preview.

A New Lightning from Meng in 35th scale

Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II 

From Meng Models

1/48th scale

Product Link

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is one of the most eye-catching new jet fighters released in the last decade. With the unmatched R&D capability of the Skunk Works, the American Lockheed Martin Corporation has undertaken the development of the United States’ fourth-generation fighters in the F-35 Lighting and F-22 Raptor. After winning the U.S. Air Force Advanced Tactical Fighter Program (ATF) in the 1990s, Lockheed Martin has developed and produced the F-22. The Lockheed Martin’s X-35 also won the Joint Strike Fighter Program (JSF).

After a series of test flights and improvements, the X-35 has entered military service in the name of F-35. Unlike the F-22 air superiority fighter exclusively used by the USAF, the F-35 has a conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant, the F-35A, a variant for large aircraft carriers, the F-35C and a short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) variant for small aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships, the F-35B.

The F-35 not only serves in the USAF, the US Navy and the Marines, but also becomes the standard fourth-generation fighter of many US allies. Thanks to the large order quantity, its unit cost has dropped dramatically. Developed about 10 years after the F-22 project, the F-35 has used advanced electronic equipment, which makes it play a more important role in the digital warfare.

By April 2017, Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 200 F-35s to its clients. The Lightning II is now the most produced fourth-generation fighter.

Meng's kit of the 48th scale Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Fighter is the latest in the "LS" series plastic aircraft model kit in 1/48 scale. The model is 326mm long and 223mm wide.

Based on the latest reference materials in the recent years, this model features accurate profile, complete weapons bay and air inlet ducts and lots of surface details. Various control surfaces can be installed in different positions. What’s more, the latest stores of the USAF are provided in the kit.

The kit from Meng promises...

Complete Weapons Bay and Air Inlet Ducting system

An accurate exterior

Many of the aircraft surface details in faithful representations

Varied options for the most up to date weapons and stores in the US Arsenal

Posable control surfaces

We have just found out that the new kit from Meng will feature the proposed Japanese Self Defence Force F-35A variant as well...

 Lockheed Martin F-35 A Lightning II fighter "Air Self-Defense Force"

1/48th scale 
Product No MLS008

The details of the surface area on the kit are now coming out as well... some very nice moulding details on the skin of the aircraft.

 

This new kit from Meng is still in development so keep an eye out here or on Meng's website  for more info on this new model