Synopsis
If you are a new modeler who jumps right into the build without any prep work or if you are an experienced modeler who hates prep work and keeping track of the pieces and progress, this book can be a big help. See review http://www.detailandscale.com/scale_model_book_review_How_to_Build_KH_F-35B_Model_by_Glenn_Hoover_2017.html
This book contains detailed instructions on building the F-35B Lightning II 1/48 scale model aircraft from Kitty Hawk. This book covers the INITIAL VERSION of the model. If the box on your model kit says Version 2.0 then you need my other book. A spiral bound version is also available on my website. (glennhoovermodels.com). There were several issues with Kitty Hawk’s instructions on this initial model that I corrected in my book. So if you follow my book, you’ll have no issues. I take the model kit instructions from Kitty Hawk and break them up into individual steps. I reorder the steps so that the small pieces (antennas, etc.) are assembled last which reduces the risk of damage when building the model. The steps are organized to insert the paint and decal steps in the best spot. I also incorporate Eduard’s Photo Etch sets 49653 and 48792 in with Kitty Hawk’s instructions. As most modelers know, it can be tricky to go back and forth between the model kit instructions and the PE instructions. I took out the guess work and did that for you. The PE steps are colored in yellow making them easy to skip if you just have the basic model. This book provides a little history of the F-35B, photos of the model kit contents including the photo etch frets, a detailed list of tools that I used to build this model, along with a list of paints. The actual instruction section contains 790 steps that tells you what to dry fit, glue, and/or paint for each individual piece. Each step instruction shows the source (i.e., either Kitty Hawk’s or Eduard’s instruction) along with a block for you to mark that you completed the step. If the last column contains an X, that means there’s a photo in the back with more details about the step. The major instruction sequence for this model is
1.Ejection Seat (Build)
2.Instrument Panels
3.Nose Gear Wheel Well
4.Engine
5.Engine Exhaust Nozzle (Build)
6.Main Landing Gear Wheel Wells
7.Lower Lift Fan Intake
8.Fuselage and Wings Assembly, Paint, and Decals
9.Internal Weapons
10.Nose and Main Landing Gear
11.Engine Exhaust Nozzle (Install)
12.Doors (Flare/Chaff, Engine Exhaust, Weapons Bay)
13.Doors (Nose and Main Landing Gear)
14.External Missiles
15.Vent and Lift Fan Doors (Top)
16.Tails (Decals)
17.Speed Brake and Antenna
18.Cockpit Detail
19.Ejection Seat (Install)
20.Canopy and Pitot Tubes
I provide an index of the individual sprue parts that show where in the book the part is mentioned. This index was a great way to make sure that no pieces were overlooked. Finally, there are several pages of in-process photos with assembly tips and the final photos of my build. This book is a great checklist to make your build go smoothly. Of course, you can feel free to use different tools, paint, weathering, etc. or even add your own diorama. It took me over 3 months to write the first cut of this book then another 2.5 months to do the actual build to test my instructions. I make tweaks to improve the instructions and add the photos. I did a lot of research and didn’t see anything this detailed about a model build. Most articles or videos concentrate on parts of their build or just give a summary review. I wanted to go down to the piece level and take you thru the whole build. Anyway, I hope you find this book useful. See a 16 page sample along with photos of finished models and other books at glennhoovermodels.com.
About the Author
I’m a retired Systems Engineer (SE). I spent 35 years with an Aerospace & Defense company along with 6 years in the US Navy before that. As an SE, I wrote hundreds of user manuals, test instructions, system requirement and system design documents, etc. I’ve been retired for a few years and fell in love with plastic modeling. I decided to bring my SE experience to modeling by creating this very detailed instructional series. I'm also a member of the Delaware Valley Scale Modelers IPMS Region 2
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