Hobby Master 1/72 HA4422 Lockheed Martin F-35I Adir No.909 116 Squadron IAF August 2019

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 first two of thirty three F-35I Adir (“Mighty One” in Hebrew) ordered by Israel arrived on December 12, 2016 with the option to purchase seventeen more. Aircraft 901 was unveiled in June and made its first flight on July 25, 2016 followed by 902’s first flight on August 8, 2016. Both aircraft were assigned to the 140 “Golden Eagle” Squadron based at the Nevatim AB in the Negev Desert. The first nineteen F-35Is will be in the standard configuration while the remaining aircraft will be equipped with Israel’s own systems and weapons.