Hobby Master HA4604 Lockheed F-35B ZM135 Lightning II RAF, Edwards AFB 1/72
Hobby Master 1/72 Lockheed F-35B ZM135 Lightning II RAF, Edwards AFB HA4604
Hobbymasters HA4604SR 1/72nd scale diecast model of the RAF new Naval Fighter the Lockheed F-35B Lightning II - due date to be confirmed.
The Subject is one of the three UK F35B models operated by 17 Sqn OCU at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida US.
ZM135 will by then with a bit of luck have made it across the pond and be in the hands of the UK military.
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.
April 1, 2013 Lockheed F-35B line number BK-03 made its first flight. This is the third of 48 F-35Bs requested by Britain and was given serial ZM-137. The serial numbers assigned to the F-35B Lightning II are the same issued to the Lightning F.1 in 1959 and 1960. After initial flight tests for Lockheed and all involved parties BK-03 will transfer to Eglin AFB, Florida for pilot and maintenance training. After Florida the aircraft and personnel will go to Edwards AFB, California for Initial Operational Test and Evaluation.