Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA6206Lockheed F-35C Lightning II 168843, NAWDC , July 2020
General Background
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.
The Aircraft
The carrier variant of the F-35 is the F-35C Lightning II designed for the USN to be the first stealth fighter and long-range strike fighter. The first Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center (NAWDC) F-35C is an early built aircraft BuNo. 168843 c/n CF12 delivered in 2014 and was originally assigned to the first USN F-35 training unit, VFA-101 “Grim Reapers”. The NAWDC also includes the “Top Gun” school. The first F-35C for the NAWDC’s arrived at NAS Fallon, Nevada on July 30, 2020 displaying the lightning bolt flash and Top Gun badge.
Hobby Master HA6206, Lockheed F-35C Lightning II 168843, NAWDC , July 2020, 1:72
Role: Multi-role stealth fighter
First Flight: December 16, 2006
Crew:
F-35A CTOL: 1
F-35B STOVL: 1
F-35C CV: 1
Powerplant:
F-35A: 1 x Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100, 40,000 lbs thrust with afterburner,25,000 lbs without.
F-35B: 1 x Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-600, 38,000 lbs thrust with afterburner,26,000 lbs without and 40,500 lbs vertical.
F-35C: 1 x Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100, 40,000 lbs thrust with afterburner,25,000 lbs without.
Internal Fuel Capacity:
F-35A: 18,250 lbs (8,278 kg)
F-35B: 13,500 lbs (6,125 kg)
F-35C: 19,750 lbs (8,960 kg)
Weights:
Empty:
F-35A: 29,300 lbs (13,000 kg)
F-35B: 32,300 lbs (14,700 kg)
F-35C: 34,800 lbs (15,800 kg)
Maximum:
F-35A: 70,000 lbs (31,800 kg)
F-35B: 60,000lbs (27,300 kg)
F-35C: 70,000 lbs (31,800 kg)
Dimensions:
F-35A:
Length: 51.4 ft (15.7 m)
Wingspan: 35 ft (10.7 m)
Height: 14.4 ft (4.38 m)
F-35B:
Length: 51.2 ft (15.6 m)
Wingspan: 35 ft (10.7 m)
Height: 14.3 ft (4.36 m)
F-35C:
Length: 51.5 ft (15.7 m)
Wingspan: 43 ft (13.1 m)
Height: 14.7 ft (4.48 m)
Performance:
Speed with full internal weapons load:
F-35A: Mach 1.6
F-35B: Mach 1.6
F-35C: Mach 1.6
Combat Radius with internal fuel:
F-35A: 590 nm (1,093 km)
F-35B: 450 nm (833 km)
F-35C: 600 nm (1,100 km)
Range with internal fuel:
F-35A: 1,200 nm (2,200 km)
F-35B: 900 nm (1,667 km)
F-35C: 1,200 nm (2,200 km)
Weapons (Standard Internal):
F-35A: 1 x 25 mm GAU-22/A cannon
2 x AIM-120C air-to-air missiles
2 x 2,000 pound GBU-31 JDAM guided bombs
Weapons Payload: 18,000 lbs (8,160 kg)
F-35B: 2 x AIM-120C air-to-air missiles
2 x 1,000 lb GBU32 JDAM guided bombs
F-35C: 2 x AIM-120C air-to-air missiles
2 x 2,000 pound GBU-31 JDAM guided bombs
