US F-35B Lightning II
Here comes another F-35 Lightning II variant, F-35B in our legendary 1/48 Aircraft Series. Developed under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program, the F-35 integrates multiple functions into its design and there are three types: the F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) aircraft, the F-35B short takeoff, vertical landing (STOVL), and the F-35C carrier takeoff and landing (CV). The F-35B was developed as a successor of the AV-8B Harrier II, and the U.K. - which along with the United States Marine Corps. employed many Harrier II -joined this program at early stage. The F-35B is recognized as the aircraft which accomplished both supersonic flight and STOVL by the 3-bearing engine duct nozzle and lift fan, and following the F-35A, the F-35B deployment started in 2015. The first F-35B to see action was an aircraft belonging to the U.S. Marine Corps VMFA-211 "Wake Island Avengers" in Afghanistan, in September 2018. Not only the U.S. and the U.K. but also Italy employs the F-35B, and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force also plans to launch a new fighter squadron with F-35B from 2024 onward. As the F-35B can be operated from both aircraft carriers and airfields featuring short runway, many countries are considering its deployment, and the F-35B looks set to become a significant presence in the skies across the world.
