"To generate and maintain combat capable, multi-purpose, air forces to meet Canada's defense objectives."
- Role of Canadian Forces Air Command

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-35A is the conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) variant intended for the USAF and other air forces. It is the smallest, lightest version and capable of 9 g, the highest of all variants.

Although the F-35A currently conducts aerial refueling via boom and receptacle method, the aircraft can be modified for probe-and-drogue refueling if needed by the customer. A drag chute pod can be installed on the F-35A, with the Royal Norwegian Air Force being the first operator to adopt it.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a RCAF Lockheed-Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter that was on display at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, in Ottawa, Canada, during 2010. Now in stock!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 5-3/4-inches
Length: 8-1/2-inches

Release Date: February 2023

Historical Account: "Museum Quality" - The Canada Aviation and Space Museum (French: Musee de l'Aviation et de l'Espace du Canada) (formerly the Canada Aviation Museum and National Aeronautical Collection) is Canada's national aviation history museum. The museum is located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, at the Ottawa/Rockcliffe Airport.

The museum's collection contains a wide variety of civilian and military aircraft, representing the history of Canadian aviation from the pioneer era before the First World War up to the present day. Particularly noteworthy is the collection of vintage bushplanes from the 1920s to the 1940s. The military aircraft represent aircraft flown by Canadians in the First World War, Second World War, and the Cold War. The museum's best known exhibit is the surviving components of the Avro Arrow interceptor from the late 1950s.

Also at the museum is Space Shuttle Endeavour's Canadarm, the Space Shuttles' Canadian-built robotic arm. It was unveiled on May 2nd, 2013, with Chris Hadfield on hand from the International Space Station via video screen to aid with the unveiling. While Endeavour's Canadarm, officially known as Canadarm 201, was moved back to Canada, Atlantis's and Discovery's Canadarms went to the museums of their respective Shuttles.

Also on site are interactive activities on the science of flight, films, demonstrations, a boutique, and guided tours.

A few of the tours take the visitors "behind the scenes" to see conservation and restoration work in progress, and components which are in storage.