F-35A Detail Sets
Reskit
1:48

RESKIT are a well known & respected Ukrainian aftermarket company, focusing on aircraft detail sets in cast resin and more recently 3D printing. In this review I'll take a look at several new sets they have designed specifically to enhance the new tooled Tamiya 1:48 F-35A.

• F-35A "LIGHTNING II" Cockpit (Detailed Edition with 3D decals) for Tamiya Kit - RSU48-0219
• F-35A "LIGHTNING II" Pilot Sitting in Late Modification Ejection Seat (Type 1) - RSU48-0012
• F-35 (A, C) "LIGHTNING II" Exhaust Nozzle for Tamiya Kit - RSU48-0261
• F-35 (A,B) Wheels Set - RSU48-0185

Set 0219 is a combo boxing of several individual sets, all related to the Tamiya F-35A cockpit and canopy area. This set is also a "detailed edition" based on the addition of Kelik 3D Decals.

Inside this combo set you are provided:

• Cockpit tub (3D Printed)
• Main console and shroud (3D Printed)
• Control stick and throttle (3D Printed)
• Console & screen raised details (3D Decal)
• US16E Ejection Seat (3D Printed)
• Canopy frame for Open position (3D Printed)
• Canopy frame for Closed position (3D Printed)

The main tub is printed as a single piece. The part is designed to be a drop fit in the Tamiya F-35A main fuselage. The side consoles are molded flat as this tub is meant to be used only with the included 3D decals by Reskits own Kelik brand. It is likely that other manufacturers 3D decals would also fit if you have a favourite. As I have recently started doing my own 3D printing I am always curious as to how professional designers support their parts when printing. Reskit seem to subscribe to the "many tiny" supports rather than the "few large" supports, and it seems to work very nicely as I was able to peel the tub off the supports pretty easily once I started a cut at one end. Reskit have also smartly placed all the print supports on the underside of the part so that nothing will be visible after cleanup.

The Reskit US16E seat, characterised by its overlapping straps and indentations, presents a significantly more intricate printing task compared to the simple, square-cornered main cockpit tub. As a result, it demands more fragile support structures and necessitates a gentler approach during post-printing cleanup. Everyone is rightfully in awe of the exceptional level of detail achievable through 3D printing these days. However, this enhanced precision comes at the cost of requiring additional supports, subsequently increasing the effort required for proper removal and cleanup without causing any damage. After all, as the old saying goes "You don't get something for nothing"

The F-35 is fitted with the Martin Baker US16E Ejection Seat, providing an unprecedented balanced optimisation between key performance parameters such as safe terrain clearance limits, physiological loading limits, pilot boarding mass and anthropometric accommodation ranges to fully meet the F-35 Escape System requirements. The US16E will be common to all F-35 aircraft variants. The Reskit print really is a work of digital art. The closer you look the more detail that pops out, like the cloth bunching on the headrest and seat cushions.

For the most part the F-35 employs a full "glass" cockpit. This makes the layout very clean and simplified when compared earlier generation designs. When you are putting yourself up against a new tooled Tamiya kit you better bring your A game and Reskit has delivered the goods. Even for such a straightforward part as this console the extra sharpness and detail afforded by the 3D printed resin parts is obvious.

The overall effectiveness of detail in most scale cockpits often comes down how well you can reproduce the fine switches, knobs and lettering. Many different techniques can be used, ranging from painting your own, photo-etch brass, water-slide decals and of course more recently 3D decals. Kelik is Reskits own brand used for 3D decals. I have several of there standalone sets and have found them to be on par with others in the market. Under such high magnification, these decals start to look grainy, but to the naked eye they look very convincing.

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Sidestick Grip, along with the throttle grip, is the main pilot/aircraft interface for flight, avionics and armament systems. Manufactured from precision cast aluminium, this grip is resistant to environmental and structural conditions per MIL-STD-810. In addition to an adjustable palm rest, the stick grip contains a variety of single and multi-function switch assemblies for pitch/roll trim, display management, aerial refuelling, nosewheel steering, autopilot override, weapon select, air-to-ground weapon release, gun and air-to-air weapon release. Reskit has 3D printed but the grip and throttle which together form the basic HOTAS system. Two sets are provided, I assume to provide a backup in case of accidental loss or breakage.

When it comes to evaluating aftermarket sets, detailing is one thing, but the real test is how well does it fit. In this case I think that Tamiya has made Reskits work pretty easy with their modular design meaning that the Reskit part is able to form a perfect fit to the Tamiya upper fusleage. As can be seen, the Reskit parts offer a higher level of detailing including cable looms and wiring on the rear bulkhead and floor. How much of these can be seen with the seat installed is debatable.

A side by side comparison of the Reskit tub and seat with those provided in the kit. Tamiya provide waterslide decals for the seat harness, which I have not added, but those would look pretty average up against the excellent 3D printed Reskit seat. I think in this case the pictures say enough about which is superior.

One to the more ambitious parts that Reskit has 3D printed is the canopy frame, including the canopy detonation cord. The F-35 ejection sequence involves shattering the canopy before the seat (and pilot) are pushed up and out. For this to work, a thinner canopy with an explosive cord is required. If you look closely the F-35 canopy is divided up into two, one is the front, thicker to protect from anything striking the canopy (birds mainly), and the thinner rear part to eject through.

Like Tamiya, Reskit provide two canopy frames in the set, one for an Open canopy and the other for Closed. The cleanup of the multitude of supports on the canopy frame and det cord is time consuming and a good set of cutters is needed. One trick I learned from reading 3D printing forums is to submerge the parts in very hot water (not boiling) for a minute to soften the resin. This makes cutting away the supports from delicate parts much less risky and often results in less damage to the parts as well. A comparison to the kit parts once again show the value of the Reskit extra details.

A test of the cleaned up "open" frame shows a very snug fit, with alignment slots matching up exactly as per the kit plastic part. The det cord did not sit perfectly flush with the inside of the canopy but it was close enough to not be distracting.

With all the parts now cleaned up it is time for a final overall fit test. As expected the merger of Tamiya and Reskit was a match made in heaven. The seat and new canopy frame are the real centerpieces of this set, with the Kelik 3D decals a nice added bonus.

The 8 page, color instructions cover off the preparation of the 3D printed parts and the recommended process to apply the Kelik 3D decals. No modification or preparation to the Tamiya kit parts are needed (I can vouch for this) and the whole set is a pleasure to use.

As an alternative to an empty seat, Reskit has also designed two seated pilots (RSU48-0012 and RSU48-0013) for use with any 1:48 F-35A kit. The only visible difference I can see between the two sets is the choice of optional left hands, one with the classic Goose "flipping the bird" middle finger (I hate it when it does that) and the other signalling "hang ten".

The pilot is molded integral to the US16E seat with harnesses and oxygen hoses attached. The F-35 Helmet incorporates a fully internally mounted display (HMD) with a next generation interface providing pilots with intuitive access to vast quantities of flight, tactical, and sensor information for advanced situational awareness, precision and safety, all without the need for an external traditional HUD. One right arm and a choice of two left arms (one on the throttle the other "flipping the bird") are provided.

One of my favourite photos, covering both the pilot, his helmet and many of the visible cockpit details. The main cockpit interior is mostly FS36231 Dark Gull Grey and note the bright green oxygen bottle just visible on the back of the seat. The seat itself has several shades of black and dark grey and the helmet has a visible carbon fibre pattern.

Much like the cockpit set, Reskit has utilised lots of very small supports to achieve a reliable print. Using the previously mentioned "hot water" trick I was able to separate the seat from the supports with minimal effort and drama (less drama is good, no-one likes drama).

How much better is this Reskit set than what you get in the Tamiya box? Well, you can judge for yourself, but to my eye it's well worth the money if you want to display your canopy open. With canopy closed (and it is tinted) I'd probably be happy enough with the kit supplied seat and figure.

One final comparison when you mate the tub with seat/pilot into the fuselage. Again Reskit is the clear winner for me but Tamiya is one of the best kit seats and pilots I have seen in recent times (as you would expect).

Set 0261 offers a resin 3D printed/cast exhaust tube and nozzle designed specifically to fit only the Tamiya 1:48 F-35A (and if they eventually do a C).

The external Reskit nozzle consists of two parts, an inner (R2) and outer (R1) sleeve. This differs from the Tamiya plastic parts which are molded as five petal segments rather than a single piece. The benefits of 3D printing are put to good use here.

The F-35 is powered by the Pratt & Whitney F135, an afterburning turbofan producing around 28,000 lbf (125 kN) of thrust and 43,000 lbf (191 kN) with afterburner. The F135 incorporates a stealthy augmentor where traditional spray bars and flameholders are replaced by thick curved vanes coated with ceramic radar-absorbent materials (RAM). Afterburner fuel injectors are integrated into these vanes, which block line-of-sight of the turbines, contributing to aft-sector stealth. The axisymmetric nozzle consists of fifteen partially overlapping flaps that create a sawtooth pattern at the trailing edge. This creates shed vortices and reduces the infrared signature of the exhaust plume.

The patterned surface of the inner petals have been accurately captured by the Reskit designers and when mated with the outer sleeve form a secure join.

The Tamiya nozzle is assembled using 5 matched segments which interlock onto a circular bracket. The engineering and fit of this rather complex looking sub-assembly is pure Tamiya.

When assembled both the Reskit and Tamiya nozzles look very good. As expected the 3D printed parts out shine the kit plastic in terms of detail and sharpness.

The Tamiya kit afterburner jet pipe is pretty typical, being assembled from two halves. As with any tube that has two halves you are going to have an internal seam that is next to impossible to remove.

As modellers we learn to live with two piece jet pipes (much like two piece intake trunking), but cast and 3D printed parts offer an alternative, single piece jet pipes with no seam. It does have the disadvantage of making painting more challenging but not having that visible seam is worth the extra effort. Reskit have also included more surface detail on the inside of the jet pipe when compared next to the Tamiya parts.

A final test fit confirms that Reskit are on the money once again. You can leave the nozzle off and attach at the end of the build which always makes me happy.

The Reskit assembly instructions are simple and clear.

The last set in this review is a set of F-35 wheels suitable for any 1:48 kits. Two main wheels and a single nose is provided with hubs and tires molded separately. A favourite subject of many aftermarket companies over the years, replacement scale wheels often offer more detail than the kit plastic parts in terms of raised surface tire sidewall and hub detailing. The very best replacement wheels also provide realistic sagging on the bottom of the tire to simulate the effect of weight.

Like most modern military aircraft, the F-35 employs high pressure tires with an anti-lock braking system. The wheels appear to be universal across the F-35 fleet.

Even the most cursory comparison of the Reskit and Tamiya wheels shows the obvious improvements offered by the resin. The wheels are cast resin but a very close look at the detail seems to indicate the masters were most likely 3D printed.

The nosewheel of the F-35 is fairly unremarkable in design, but is a very visible part of any finished model so attention to detail will be rewarded here.

As with the main wheels, Reskit has provided sidewall raised details and slightly more realistic hub.

Reskit are a well established powerhouse in the scale aircraft aftermarket scene. They have rightfully earned a reputation for excellence in terms of accuracy and detailing. Each of these four new sets for the Tamiya F-35 show they continue to innovate with the use of 3D printing and 3D decal technology, keeping them firmly positioned as king of the mountain.

I'll be putting each of these sets to good use when I start my Tamiya F-35A build. Highly recommended.