I sincerely hope that modern
aircraft aren't going the same way the family car has
the last twenty years or so. That is, completely lacking
in character and all looking pretty much the same. Used
to be you could instantly tell a Ford from a Chevy at
100 paces. Today the only discernable difference between
one vehicle and the next seems to be the shiny nametag
on the back. Similarly, the X-35 just looks like a smaller
clone of the F-22 to me, VSTOL properties notwithstanding.
I suppose it could be argued that as military aircraft
design evolves we will eventually reach the "ultimate"
in aerodynamics, stealth and functionality and manufacturers
will be forced to adhere to that standard in order to
remain competitive. Perhaps, then, the X-35/F-22 shape
is that standard and if that's the case then I suppose
we haven't much to look forward to in new and exciting
designs for the future. How sad.
So you may well be wondering
why I bothered to build this if I'm less than thrilled
with its banal appearance, and I have to admit I'm rather
curious about that myself. I think the answers are pretty
superficial, but then I don't need much of an excuse to
choose a subject. That's part of what I enjoy about the
hobby - I can do what I damn well please. I decided to
build it because I liked the spiffy artwork on the tail,
because Revell kits are almost always a joy to build,
and because I read recently that Canada has now joined
the JSF program and will eventually phase out its CF-18s
in favour of the F-35. A somewhat puzzling decision when
you consider the fact that the F-16 lost out to the F-18
when Canada was searching for a new fighter in the 'eighties
because it was felt the twin engined Hornet offered an
extra margin of safety over the single engine Fighting
Falcon. I have to wonder why the Canadian government has
now decided it needs a single engined VSTOL (or STOVL
as it says on the tail) aircraft. Since I have an interest
in Canadian aviation however, it's enough of a reason,
tenuous though it is, to get me to build an X-35. Don't
expect another in spurious Canuck markings anytime soon
though - I don't do "what if" aircraft!
The Joint Strike Fighter
will eventually replace the Harrier in British service
though at present the JSF is rather overweight and not
performing to expectations. It's a tribute to the design
of the Harrier and its engine that even after more than
40 years it has not been superseded, and I might add that
the X-35 needs the added bulk of an engine driven lift
fan to do what the Harrier can do with one engine and
no lift fan. Progress? Hmmm....
As for the kit, it is to
Revell's usual excellent standard. Fit was superb, so
good in fact that the closed lift fan doors look more
like scribed panel lines than seperate parts and the landing
gear doors clicked into place in the closed position enabling
me to easily paint the model without masking the gear
wells. Revell give you the option of modelling the aircraft
in vertical flight mode with everything hanging out and
the exhaust nozzle in the full down position, or all cleaned
up in conventional flight mode - a choice Italeri's 1/72
version doesn't offer I might add. I chose the clean look
as I just liked it better.
Decals were excellent as well and I was particularly impressed
with the decal for the canopy breaking MDC which fit the
lines moulded on the inside of the canopy exactly. Of
course I only discovered said decal after two abortive
attempts at painting the damn thing on. Better late than
never. I gave the canopy my normal treatment of a lovely
bath in Johnson's Klear, let that dry overnight, then
applied the decal to the inside of the canopy, followed
by another dip in Klear once the decal had dried to seal
it in place.
Paint is Humbrol enamel with Testors Metalizer used on
the exhaust, Tamiya gloss white on the landing gear bits
and Polyscale clear flat as a final finish.
And as I was adding the final finishing touches I dropped
the *$%£^*&!! thing and broke the nose probe
off. I'm amazed it lasted that long to be honest.
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