Thursday, January 25

Preview: Meng's 1/48th scale F-35I "Adir"

To add to their earlier F-35's in 48th scale, Meng bring us their latest - the Israeli version called the "Adir" or mighty one". This is a feature rich kit & we show you what's inside in our preview...

Preview: Meng's 1/48th scale F-35I "Adir" 

 1/48 Lockheed Martin F-35I Adir (Israeli Air Force)
From Meng Models
Kit No# LS-018
1/48th scale
Includes precision PE parts and pre-cut painting masks
Available in: February 2024
The Subject: Lockheed Martin's F-35I "Adir" 
The F-35I “Adir” is the first fifth-generation fighter jet operated by the Israeli Air Force and is also the most advanced military aircraft in the Middle East. Its name “Adir” means “Mighty One” in Hebrew. F-35Is participated in combat operations in 2018. 
To better meet combat needs, the Israeli Air Force equipped the F-35Is with Israeli-made munitions such as the SPICE 1000 precision-guided bomb and the Python 5 air-to-air missile.
The SPICE 1000, fitted with foldable wings, has a maximum glide range of over 100 kilometers, far exceeding many conventional air-to-ground missiles, and possesses the capability for stand-off range precision ground strikes. Thanks to the outstanding performance of the F-35I, it has completed multiple air-to-air interception missions.
In 2023, it conducted its first interception of long-range cruise missile over the Red Sea. The F-35I "Adir" fighter jet has excellently accomplished its missions in multiple operations, achieving an outstanding record of success without defeat.

The kit: LS-018 Lockheed Martin F-35I Adir (Israeli Air Force)
MENG will soon release the officially licensed LS-018 1/48 Lockheed Martin F-35I Adir (Israeli Air Force) model kit. The assembled model will be 326mm long and 223mm wide. This kit includes precision PE parts and pre-cut painting masks. This kit provides two Israeli Air Force paint schemes.

Features of this kit include:
The unique fuselage profile of F-35I stealth fighter is accurately replicated.
The radar-absorbent material (RAM) coating on the fuselage surfaces is manufactured by high precision tooling.
The cockpit and its interior equipment are precisely replicated. The pilot safety belt is represented by precision PE parts.
The kit includes a light golden transparent cockpit canopy, which can be assembled in either the open or closed position.
The overall curved shape of the DSI air intakes is accurately reproduced.
Horizontal stabilizers can be installed at two different angles.
Weapons bay doors can be built in the open or closed position.
The engine nozzle features various stealth design details. The internal radar signature blocker is represented by a precision PE part.
The kit includes weapons like AIM-9X and AIM-120C air-to-air missiles, GBU-31-V1 guided bombs, the Israeli SPICE 1000 precision-guided bombs and Python-5 air-to-air missiles.
This model can be built in the stealth mode, air combat mode or beast mode.
This new kit from Meng is still in development so keep an eye out here or on Meng's website  for more info on this new model