"Ready anytime"
- Motto of the JASDF

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation, single-seat, single-engine, stealth-capable military strike fighter, a multirole aircraft that can perform close air support, tactical bombing, and air superiority fighter missions. The F-35 has three different models; one is the conventional takeoff and landing variant, the second is short takeoff and vertical-landing variant, and the third is a carrier-based variant.

The F-35 is descended from the X-35, the product of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. Its development is being principally funded by the United States, with the United Kingdom, and other partner governments providing additional funding. It is being designed and built by an aerospace industry team led by Lockheed Martin with Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems as major partners. Demonstrator aircraft flew in 2000, with the first flight on December 15th, 2006.

The F-35C combines this unique capability of operating from a carrier deck with the unmatched 5th Generation capabilities of stealth, fused sensors and reliability, making the F-35C the Navy?s future first-day-of-the-war strike fighter.

The Navy and Marines require an aircraft capable of overcoming a variety of threats - surface-to-air missiles, air-to-air missiles and tactical aircraft. By leveraging this potent combination of stealth, advanced jamming and threat system destruction, the F-35C enhances survivability and increases mission success rates.

The F-35C variant has larger wings and more robust landing gear than the other variants, making it suitable for catapult launches and fly-in arrestments aboard naval aircraft carriers. Its wingtips also fold to allow for more room on the carrier?s deck while deployed.

The F-35C also has the greatest internal fuel capacity of the three F-35 variants. The F-35C carries nearly 20,000 pounds of internal fuel for longer range and better persistence than any other fighter in a combat configuration. And, like the F-35B, the F-35C uses probe and drogue refueling. This allows the Navy to operate its carriers a safe distance from the threat while its fighters reach remote targets.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a notional Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Lockheed-Martin F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. Its not certain if a JASDF F-35 would be painted in this shade of blue or the standard grey scheme that F-35s are typically painted. Its possible that by painting over the grey scheme a different color could compromise the stealth characteristics of the aircraft, which defeats the purpose of using these types of aircraft on deep penetration air strikes. Now in stock!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 7-1/4-inches
Length: 8-1/2-inches

Release Date: April 2026

Historical Account: "Lightning in a Japanese Bottle" - Japan received its first three F-35B Lightning II fighters in August 2025, with a fourth being delayed due to maintenance and inspection requirements.

Three Lockheed Martin's F-35Bs arrived at Nyutabaru Air Base on the main island of Kyushu, Japan, according to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). The fourth aircraft, which was also supposed to arrive Thursday, remained at Lockheed Martin's facility in the United States for maintenance and inspection. Its delivery date has not yet been determined, Japan officials said.

The three short take-off and vertical-landing aircraft are assigned to a provisional Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-35B squadron that will temporarily operate from Nyutabaru. The F-35B variants will also operate from two Izumo-class destroyer carriers, JS Izumo (DDH-183) and JS Kaga (DDH-184).

To date, both ships have only conducted flight operations with U.S.-operated F-35Bs. Izumo drilled with the "Bats" of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242 in October 2021. Last fall, Kaga participated in a U.S. test with aircraft assigned to the "Salty Dogs" Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23 (VX-23) and test pilots from the F-35 Patuxent River Integrated Test Force (Pax ITF).

Izumo is currently undergoing its second and final stage of modifications to operate F-35Bs, while Kaga is currently drilling with the George Washington and U.K. carrier strike groups (CSG) and amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6). The U.K. and U.S. Marine Corps F-35Bs are expected to conduct cross-deck landings and take-offs on Kaga this week. VMFA-242 is embarked on both America and Royal Navy (RN) aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales (R09).

U.S. pilots, who will also serve as instructors for the aircraft as the JASDF refines its F-35B capabilities, flew the three F-35Bs to Japan. The U.S. Marine Corps is the only U.S. service to operate the B variant.

Originally, Japan's Ministry of Defense (MOD) stipulated the F-35Bs would not conduct vertical landing training at Nyutabaru due to noise concerns from Kyushu residents. The training would instead happen at a purpose-built facility on the uninhabited Mageshima Island.

However, the facility at Mageshima Island is facing construction delays and will not be completed until 2030, meaning JASDF will need to train F-35B fighters on the main island. The MOD ultimately revised its decision and chose to conduct vertical landing training at Nyutabaru Air Base.

Curiously, while Japan may not be acquiring the F-35C variant, Hobby Master has indicated that a Japanese distributor is behind the decision to build a model of a supposed JASDF F-35C.