There actually is a sink-mark on inside of exhaust nozzle at 22.04...😳 Ref: The rivets (🤣) Trumpeter are dire: Do they not know the subject? Do they not even check out the Tamiya offering? Bizarre! 😖...and it costs HOW MUCH? 😆😂🤣 Great review though Phil. 👍🏻
Having worked on the F-35 programme for 18 years I've been able to get up close and personal with the RAF aircraft and can honestly say I've never seen a cleaner or smoother airframe in my 40 years in the industry. I've no idea why kit manufacturers insist on over-egging the RAM pudding! Perhaps they are pandering to demands of model makers for more surface detail???
I know very little about this aircraft but in a 12 second Google I was able to see the weapon bay doors have zero rivets and certainly no reassessed squares in them. So your 100% spot on about Trumpeter here. Lazy research but you can get rid of those ejected pin squares and the rivets at the same time.
Another fantastic and balanced review of a kit. If I were to get an F-35B kit, it would be the Tamiya 1/48. Kind regards, and I look forward to your next review.
You can Google USN weathered F-35s and find photos of a few planes with rivets visible. The tape has weathered off or the putty has come out like on a P-51. It'd be nice to see a weathered F-35 with some character.
Only just seen this video. I have built the Hasagawa 1/72 kit as an RAF/RN version taking off from a ramp, complete with custom built Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier ramp. I bought some RAF/RN decals. Had to mask and paint the lightning markings on the tail. Two things required to model it taking off from a ramp (look at photos). The engine nozzle at the rear has to be approx a 45 degree angle, not straight out the back nor at 90 degrees facing downwards. Secondly the 'elevons' have to be angled downwards slightly, with the Hasagawa kit this requires some cutting and filling. I can't see how the engine nozzles on this Trumpeter kit can be angled at 45 degrees?? Would need significant remodelling of the nozzle. The Hasagawa kit as a massive advantage as you mentioned the nozzle can be angled how you want it.
Excellent review. Standard Trumpeter. Decent subject with some odd thought processes detracting from the overall package. Not quite sure why we’re surprised?!! It’s not a Tamigawa kit, but it’s a 32nd F-35. Surely that counts for something?
I have Italeri F-35A that was going to be an assembly line model, but now will be a 65th aggressor aircraft. I have the F-35C which does have the rivet and panel lines molded in place which would make for a good assembly line build. However I'm sure you see with the B version there are more open doors that would make it look like it's going through a final check before being painted and like the pictures you could open up more panels and scratch build structure, wire, lines, etc.
Nice review - The F-35C kit has actually been out for quite some time. All 3 kits share the same mistakes and shape issues unfortunately. The misshaped nose is the most obvious to me along with the much too pronounced RAM panels and rivets?? why rivets?? We often talk about Trumpeter kits being done by either their A or B team. This is sadly by their C Team in my opinion.
Phil! have a look at the book Real to Replica Blue Series F-35 some of the rivets are correct in places and someone not just checked the book because it is pretty damn good
This isn't just Trumpy but it always makes me laugh when kit manufacturers include a turbine engine and leave out the integral part of the engine. The accessory gear box! The thing that drives the fuel control, hydraulic pump, starter/generator, etc. Yeah I guess that would drive up the cost
Entertaining review, Phil and team, thanks! AND.....to add insult to injury, they've got the Union Jack decal, number 48, incorrect! The decal is a mirror image of what it should be. I was always told that getting the Union Jack wrong, e.g. flying it upside-down is a recognised insult to the country, but im sure it's just ignorance on Trumpy's part.
Hi, I see a couple of comments here about the nose cone being the wrong shape. Can anyone elaborate their thoughts on this please, to me it looks "ok" but I could 've missing something glaring!! Is it too short/long or curved or not curved on the right places? Is there, or will there be a third party replacement does anyone know? Phil here doesn't mention the nose so wondering what the concerns are please? Thanks.....
Why pilot is not always free in aircrafts plastic model specially in a big scales? By the way i love the way you said....what is this? That's good for the company calling for attention.😅
Trumpeter has always made interesting kits but they always seem to announce so many kits every year. So many that to actually produce them they always manage to get so many details wrong. I quit buying Trumpeter for that reason. The last Trumpeter kit I built was the 1/200 Bismarck. Nice kit but the bow is molded wrong.
This is the sad thing with Trumpeter kits: they generally fit well and have good clean mouldings but oh, the sloppy and slapdash research. You only need to look at their 1/48 Sea Vixen. Putting aside some surface detail mistakes that can be overlooked, how on earth did they produce underwing decals in white knowing that they would be applied to - a white underside? Why also hint at wing folds on the kit parts yet not mention it in the instructions or even allow for it with the parts?
The Union Jack is upside down! For that crime alone, I shall not be buying this kit. The "rivets" are the fasteners. Obviously IRL, they are either puttied over or covered in tape. I suspect Trumpeter based their detailing on photos of F-35 in production that are still in the blue primer, where those lines of fasteners are clearly visible. Removing a panel must be a real chore for the groundcrew. Judging by in-service photos, the external pylons are pretty much covered in fasteners and panels like any other aircraft. The slats do indeed have a row of rivets/fasteners on the rear edge. These are visible in photos.
Even when you turn it around its still wrong. The fimbriation on the quartering of the argent band would always be on the wrong edge. It is mirrored not upside down.
There actually is a sink-mark on inside of exhaust nozzle at 22.04...😳 Ref: The rivets (🤣) Trumpeter are dire: Do they not know the subject? Do they not even check out the Tamiya offering? Bizarre! 😖...and it costs HOW MUCH? 😆😂🤣 Great review though Phil. 👍🏻
Having worked on the F-35 programme for 18 years I've been able to get up close and personal with the RAF aircraft and can honestly say I've never seen a cleaner or smoother airframe in my 40 years in the industry. I've no idea why kit manufacturers insist on over-egging the RAM pudding!
Perhaps they are pandering to demands of model makers for more surface detail???
Yep - disappointing.
I know very little about this aircraft but in a 12 second Google I was able to see the weapon bay doors have zero rivets and certainly no reassessed squares in them. So your 100% spot on about Trumpeter here. Lazy research but you can get rid of those ejected pin squares and the rivets at the same time.
Im working on trumpeter 1/350 USS Alabama right now, its the biggest model ive built so far 😊
Great review, Phil! I completely agree with your assessment and remedy of the rivets an RAM tape situation.
Another fantastic and balanced review of a kit. If I were to get an F-35B kit, it would be the Tamiya 1/48. Kind regards, and I look forward to your next review.
It’s awesome
THAT green is MRP-191 US NON CHROMATE EPOXY PRIMER. I agree - only way to make this kit is as "in production"
You can Google USN weathered F-35s and find photos of a few planes with rivets visible. The tape has weathered off or the putty has come out like on a P-51. It'd be nice to see a weathered F-35 with some character.
Only just seen this video.
I have built the Hasagawa 1/72 kit as an RAF/RN version taking off from a ramp, complete with custom built Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier ramp. I bought some RAF/RN decals. Had to mask and paint the lightning markings on the tail.
Two things required to model it taking off from a ramp (look at photos). The engine nozzle at the rear has to be approx a 45 degree angle, not straight out the back nor at 90 degrees facing downwards. Secondly the 'elevons' have to be angled downwards slightly, with the Hasagawa kit this requires some cutting and filling.
I can't see how the engine nozzles on this Trumpeter kit can be angled at 45 degrees??
Would need significant remodelling of the nozzle.
The Hasagawa kit as a massive advantage as you mentioned the nozzle can be angled how you want it.
To be fair to Trumpeter no one has gotten the Ram tape right on their kits.
Brilliant idea to have it in construction
Excellent review. Standard Trumpeter. Decent subject with some odd thought processes detracting from the overall package. Not quite sure why we’re surprised?!! It’s not a Tamigawa kit, but it’s a 32nd F-35. Surely that counts for something?
I have Italeri F-35A that was going to be an assembly line model, but now will be a 65th aggressor aircraft. I have the F-35C which does have the rivet and panel lines molded in place which would make for a good assembly line build. However I'm sure you see with the B version there are more open doors that would make it look like it's going through a final check before being painted and like the pictures you could open up more panels and scratch build structure, wire, lines, etc.
I purchased the tamiya 1/48 it’s awesome
Nice review - The F-35C kit has actually been out for quite some time. All 3 kits share the same mistakes and shape issues unfortunately. The misshaped nose is the most obvious to me along with the much too pronounced RAM panels and rivets?? why rivets?? We often talk about Trumpeter kits being done by either their A or B team. This is sadly by their C Team in my opinion.
Phil! have a look at the book Real to Replica Blue Series F-35 some of the rivets are correct in places and someone not just checked the book because it is pretty damn good
Phil very good review ,after this I will not be buying this kit, for 160 odd pounds it should be perfect.
Have you decided you actually want to grow your youtube channel finally??Good to see comments and more exciting titles
This isn't just Trumpy but it always makes me laugh when kit manufacturers include a turbine engine and leave out the integral part of the engine. The accessory gear box! The thing that drives the fuel control, hydraulic pump, starter/generator, etc. Yeah I guess that would drive up the cost
Entertaining review, Phil and team, thanks!
AND.....to add insult to injury, they've got the Union Jack decal, number 48, incorrect! The decal is a mirror image of what it should be. I was always told that getting the Union Jack wrong, e.g. flying it upside-down is a recognised insult to the country, but im sure it's just ignorance on Trumpy's part.
What is the best f35b kit? I want one as large as possible but with best detail and fitting kit
That canopy is pretty nice, rubberish tires ??, pronounced tape detail boo, rivets oh come on, couldn't those details be done with decal
Camera is pretty underexposed Phil, please fix it 👍🏼
For the price?
RAM, damned if you do, damned if you don't. Modelers opinion of it in a nutshell. And Trumpeter's mad riveter attacks again!
Hi, I see a couple of comments here about the nose cone being the wrong shape. Can anyone elaborate their thoughts on this please, to me it looks "ok" but I could 've missing something glaring!! Is it too short/long or curved or not curved on the right places? Is there, or will there be a third party replacement does anyone know? Phil here doesn't mention the nose so wondering what the concerns are please?
Thanks.....
Why pilot is not always free in aircrafts plastic model specially in a big scales? By the way i love the way you said....what is this? That's good for the company calling for attention.😅
CLICKBAIT PHIL? 🤣 That's not like you ! Lol!
Build it anyway!
115 € for the kit.Fill the rivets.We are modellers, not Lego assemblers.
Just like the real one recently, and even longer for me, will remain missing from my stash..
Trumpeter has always made interesting kits but they always seem to announce so many kits every year. So many that to actually produce them they always manage to get so many details wrong. I quit buying Trumpeter for that reason. The last Trumpeter kit I built was the 1/200 Bismarck. Nice kit but the bow is molded wrong.
This is the sad thing with Trumpeter kits: they generally fit well and have good clean mouldings but oh, the sloppy and slapdash research. You only need to look at their 1/48 Sea Vixen. Putting aside some surface detail mistakes that can be overlooked, how on earth did they produce underwing decals in white knowing that they would be applied to - a white underside? Why also hint at wing folds on the kit parts yet not mention it in the instructions or even allow for it with the parts?
.....его-же сделала и tamiya-альтернатива этому набору......
(((( на этот набор сделают оооооогромное количество афтермаркета))))
In reality the f-22 and the f-35 have pop rivets.
Love the F-35B, this kit dosen't look right unfortunately and for the price I won't be purchasing it.
......тооооо-лиииии еще будет.........
The Union Jack is upside down! For that crime alone, I shall not be buying this kit. The "rivets" are the fasteners. Obviously IRL, they are either puttied over or covered in tape. I suspect Trumpeter based their detailing on photos of F-35 in production that are still in the blue primer, where those lines of fasteners are clearly visible. Removing a panel must be a real chore for the groundcrew. Judging by in-service photos, the external pylons are pretty much covered in fasteners and panels like any other aircraft. The slats do indeed have a row of rivets/fasteners on the rear edge. These are visible in photos.
Even when you turn it around its still wrong.
The fimbriation on the quartering of the argent band would always be on the wrong edge.
It is mirrored not upside down.