Tamiya 1/48 F-35A Lightning II part 3

In this new series we're building Tamiya's new F-35 Lightning. In part 3 we get the airframe ready for painting.
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[@mickrobinson1112]

great work

[@TheModelShed]

cheers Mick

[@usssaratogacv3lefevre978]

Great video Steve.

[@TheModelShed]

Thank you 👍

[@petebird7171]

Another cracking episode 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@TheModelShed]

Thanks Pete

[@davidlamberti]

I love your builds. Busy building along with you on this one.

[@TheModelShed]

Thanks David hope you’re enjoying it as much as I am 👍

[@johntreloar8203]

Nice work Steve, will have your video's as a reference for when I build mine.

[@TheModelShed]

Cheers John good luck with it👍

[@paulmanuse2353]

I didn't realize how much goes into that kit. Looking great!!

[@TheModelShed]

Thank you Paul

[@chrismonson3581]

Nice work!

[@TheModelShed]

Cheers Chris

[@FinsburyPhil]

The more I see of this kit, the more I'm in awe of the engineering that's gone into it. More great building technique too Steve.

[@TheModelShed]

Thanks Phil 👍

[@paulsmodels]

What a nice kit! You're making it look nice too!

[@TheModelShed]

Cheers Paul 👍

[@richelias2973]

Not a big fan of the aircraft but seeing what you are doing is getting me interested in building one. Thanks and it looks great.

[@TheModelShed]

Thanks Rich 👍

[@alancrowley7991]

Hi Steve, interesting video last night, typical Tamiya excellence, well I have done it, bought the Tamiya HMS Hood in 1/350 scale today at my local model shop, thought that scale was sensible for my first ship build since my teenage years, ordered the required accessories, including the dreaded photo etch set from Eduard. Really looking forward to joining the modelling ship building fraternity!! Rule Britannia!! 👌

[@TheModelShed]

Thanks Alan - finishing the 109 this week I hope !

[@kevinlong8076]

I’m building this kit along with you , can’t wait to see what you decide on the RAM panels. Thanks for putting out great videos.

[@TheModelShed]

Thanks Kevin. Reams of masking tape and paint for me I think.

[@daveonbass79]

Looks great. I chose to paint the RAM tape instead of using the decals. I can promise you it is a lot of work. But I love how its retaining all the detail and rivet work on the kit. So...hard work but I dont regret it. 👍

[@TheModelShed]

Yes that’s the way I’ll go too. Not looking forward to it I have to say

[@daveonbass79]

@@TheModelShed they have masking sets for sale now. After having finished the tail surfaces...I think I might buy it now. It even has masks for the bombs.

[@mgarizona9939]

Excellent build so far ,Steve you have some really nice projects on the go at the same time and really relaxing watching your techniques ,living out here close to Luke Air Force base its really cool watching the real thing in action every day .

[@jasonlee6744]

Hi Steve, great build, really enjoying it. Can I ask where you got the RAM masks from. Thanks Jase 🇬🇧

[@TheModelShed]

I don’t have RAM masks Jase - Eduard will be doing a set but they’re not available yet. I’m going to mask mine

[@jasonlee6744]

@@TheModelShed Oh, ok sorry. I look forward to the next episode 👍🏻

[@UnderstatementJones1]

In photos the sensor panels often have a purple/green iridescent sheen to them. I noticed the other day that Mr. Hobby makes iridescent colors I think are usually used on gundams, but I wonder if those are the ticket for those transparencies.

[@TheModelShed]

Maybe so it would be interesting to see that. Too late here some of the sensors are fitted already 🫤

[@midnightsuns1000rr]

May I suggest get some tack rags, it will take off all dust on the parts before paint. Get the ones for base coat, the low tack ones.

[@ziggydoestanks2187]

I left the same comment on Part 1 but will put it here as well... Firstly love you builds and I am looking on with keen interest on this one as mine has just arrived to me and I am pawing over it now trying to work it onto my bench. One thing I have to ask though is what is the actual fuselage colour... I am presuming it is a mix but I have pawed over all the paper in the kit and I cannot see what or how it is mixed... driving me crazy. Thanks in advance for consideration of my question.

[@TheModelShed]

It is a mix and is on the large sheets showing the plan views. The main colour is given by Tamiya as LP-15 and LP59 in a 5:1 Ratio. The acrylic equivalents are XF91 and XF68.

[@ziggydoestanks2187]

@@TheModelShed thank you so much... I will look for it again on the main sheets but I must be going blind.

[@joellecompte6809]

Great work Steve, realy. I was wondering why you decided to paint over the lighter gray that you did earlier.(14+59). And, what is the equivalent you found for the LP-15? I also prefered the acrylique range. Keep up the good work. Cheers.

[@TheModelShed]

I had to Joel because the top of the side panel in front of the intake needed a bit of filler and sanding back. I blended the LP14 mix in again after. The acrylic equivalent for LP15 is XF91 IJN grey Yokosuka arsenal.

[@dlthomson5287]

Most definitely the gray color is strange. I found an article in one of my modeling magazines showing someone building the F-35 and using bare metal foil to mask around the zig-zag RAM boundaries and plain Tamiya masking tape for the straight lines. The author of the article painted the model in the color of the RAM boundaries first then masked the boundaries before painting the overall color using lacquer paints. Just something to think about. Will be interested to see what you come up with.

[@rickbourn971]

May I ask how you mixed the paint? I understand the ratios but how did you measure out each color? I have watched the entire series (through episode 6) and really enjoyed it. Your attention to detail was quite impressive and the finished kit was beautiful! GREAT JOB!!

[@TheModelShed]

I mixed the paint using a graduated pipette Rick. For one whole 10ml pot of the grey I measured the corresponding ratio in the pipette. For the main airframe I used 2 pots of grey to make sure I had enough. With the brown plus thinners I ended up with about 50ml of paint.

[@jerryplews1023]

Great work as always. What make is that banana light above the bench Steve ?

[@TheModelShed]

It’s a benq Jerry - it was a review sample and I did a video on it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGjQnXiYm7Opg7c

[@garymorton7893]

Anyz models do a die cut set. Includes inner and outer canopy mask and masks for the wheels and tyres. Ordered them for mine when I start it.

[@TheModelShed]

Yes I’ve seen those. Eduard are producing a RAM panel mask set but I can’t wait for that.

[@garymorton7893]

@@TheModelShed got the caracal decals for a lakenheath aircraft coming. They don't have the lighter ram panels. Taking the easy way out. 😌

[@markp5737]

Great video series so far, could I ask where you sourced the fibregrass pen from please?

[@TheModelShed]

Here Mark. www.amazon.co.uk/Modelcraft-PBU2137-Glass-Fibre-Pencil/dp/B000UZ8VNS

[@markp5737]

@@TheModelShed thanks 😊

[@sandronaf47]

Which nozzle do you use to priming with mr surfacer 1500?

[@TheModelShed]

A 0.4mm

[@sandronaf47]

@@TheModelShed thanks. Will a 0.3mm also work or better not?

[@TheModelShed]

It depends on how much you thin the Surfacer. I thin it 50/50. You could try 0.3 but for priming I think a 0.4 gives enough control. I only use 0.3 for detail work and certain fine camo schemes.

[@sandronaf47]

@@TheModelShed All right. Thanks! I will try it out. For detail work do you use a 0.3mm? I always thought 0.2mm.

[@bobkrulish732]

Hi! Can you please share with me what fiberglass pencil you are using in this video? Thank you!

[@TheModelShed]

Hi Bob it’s retailed by a company called hobbycraft in the Uk. I got mine on Amazon and they sell the refills as well. In the USA I believe they are called scratch brushes? www.amazon.co.uk/Modelcraft-PBU2137-Glass-Fibre-Pencil/dp/B000UZ8VNS/ref=asc_df_B000UZ8VNS/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=214470891806&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=18296419295709216494&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006874&hvtargid=pla-421663458393&psc=1&mcid=6f98bdc3e0ba3a47bbb71fda7676801b&th=1&psc=1

[@TheRosstamon]

Where can I find the plastic clamps like you use?

[@TheModelShed]

They’re just clothes pegs from the supermarket Ross. Cheap as chips and very effective.

[@TheRosstamon]

@@TheModelShed That's what I thought! I'm using something similar. This is my first model build (F35) since I was a kid.

[@colinhenry3551]

Hi Steve , Great work as always, have you seen the programme on the TV ,Warship Tour of Duty ,some great footage of F35s and shows the colour of the airframe very well ,

[@TheModelShed]

Hi Colin - I have seen the series - it was a bit unnerving seeing the shenanigans playing out in the eastern med and Black Sea. Wouldn’t take much for the gamesmanship to go badly wrong.

[@Marie579]

I’ve just purchased this kit myself, I have to admit it’s detailed but it’s very simplified in construction, I can understand the reasoning but not being able to position the tail surfaces without major surgery is a bind and the flapperons locations doesn’t look very convincing, in some respects I wish I hadn’t brought it! 😂 if you wish to purchase it half price it’s yours.

[@FinsburyPhil]

How much did you pay for it?