Hobby Master 1/72 HA4407 Lockheed F-35A AF 08-0747/EG, 58th FS, 33rd FW, July 2011

Lockheed F-35A Lightning II 08-0747 (AF-9) was the 4th production model of the F-35 making its first flight on May 13, 2011 and on July 14, 2011 was the first F-35 received by the 33rd FW/58th FS at Eglin AFB, Florida. 08-0747 was flown to Eglin by the first USAF qualified F-35 line pilot, Lt. Col. Eric Smith of the 58th FS. The 33rd FW is an F-35 training unit equipped with a new Integrated Training Center and will be used to train pilots and maintenance crews.

 The Lockheed F-35 is an advanced stealth fifth generation fighter combining speed and superb agility. There are three variants; F-35A, B and C. The F-35A CTOL (Conventional Take Off and Landing) and has four internal weapons stations in two weapons bays plus three optional external weapons stations. The F-35B STOVL (Short Take Off Vertical Landing) variant while the F-35C is a CV (Carrier Variant). The F-35 will replace the USAF A-10 and F-16, the F/A-18 for the USN and the F/A-18 and AV-8B Harrier for the USMC.