KEB Posted January 30, 2022 Share Posted January 30, 2022 Hi everyone! I'm preparing to build a HAFB F-35A in 1/32....I know there's a great thread on the exterior color here in this forum, But I've notied in some recent videos shot at Hill that the lighter coloerd RAM? (not sure what these zigzag shaped areas are...please forgive me for not knowing their official name) are almost undistiguishable in color and heighth from the top of the fuselage. Just checking to see what would be the current proper way to represent the color and heighth difference from the fuselage in these areas. Thnaks....oh BTW could use come help in after Market for the 1/32 F-35A. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jbryan911 Posted January 30, 2022 Share Posted January 30, 2022 (edited) There was a change a year or so ago. Newer build jets are now mostly one color. They found a better and cheaper way to finish them. There are still some sheen differences between the RAM tape and finish. This page has some good photos: https://lockheedmartinf35.smugmug.com/ Edited January 30, 2022 by jbryan911 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Crash Test Dummy Posted January 30, 2022 Share Posted January 30, 2022 The zig-zags are RAM to cover panel seams. At model scales they shouldn't be thick enough to stand out from the surrounding surface. The model companies have exaggerated their molding on most kits. Some people sand down the ridges to tone down the effect. I would prefer to see these as just decals. Early build F-35s had a noticeable difference in color between the RAM and the basic camouflage colors. Newer aircraft have been built with a closer color match, but there is still usually a difference in sheen with the RAM ranging from nearly invisible to standing out depending on the lighting. From some of the photos I've seen on a clean newly built aircraft you could pretty much ignore the difference. There are mask sets for most F-35 kits to help painting the RAM panels https://dnmodels.com/product/ram-panels-paint-masks-f-35-italeri/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RichardL Posted January 30, 2022 Share Posted January 30, 2022 The RAM tape is not covered with the metallic coating, hence the sheen differences. Here is one from Hill AFB: In this case, the RAM tape is almost the same color as the base color, but it reflects light differently. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Honza K. Posted January 31, 2022 Share Posted January 31, 2022 I build Italeri kit few years ago... I used mix of MRP grey for F-35 with gunze SM01... and some mix of lighter grey for RAM panels... I also made some Aftermarket... you can find it here: www.kopeckyscalemodels.com And complete build here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.110087347381854&type=3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 That's a fantastic looking model. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alternative 4 Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 One of the most realistic finishes around. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
t15dja Posted October 27, 2023 Share Posted October 27, 2023 Why are there "dots" in the RAM tape.....is that accurate? If so what are they? I thought the tape was to smooth out any irregularities between panels. I haven't noticed them in photos of the real thing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scott Smith Posted October 28, 2023 Share Posted October 28, 2023 (edited) On 10/27/2023 at 6:05 AM, t15dja said: Why are there "dots" in the RAM tape.....is that accurate? If so what are they? I thought the tape was to smooth out any irregularities between panels. I haven't noticed them in photos of the real thing. Follow this link to my build on LSM. I posted some pics of the real thing where the dots are very visible. https://forum.largescalemodeller.com/topic/19681-italeri-f-35a-splinter-scheme/ Edited October 28, 2023 by Scott Smith Quote Link to post Share on other sites
t15dja Posted October 28, 2023 Share Posted October 28, 2023 Well, there we are then, Scott, you are absolutely right and the dots do exist on the real thing. I've learnt something today.....thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted October 29, 2023 Share Posted October 29, 2023 5 hours ago, Scott Smith said: Follow this link to my build on LSM. I posted some pics of the real thing where the dots are very visible. https://forum.largescalemodeller.com/topic/19681-italeri-f-35a-splinter-scheme/ What is the fairing on the aft end of the fuselage? I haven't seen that before. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scott Smith Posted October 29, 2023 Share Posted October 29, 2023 🤷 Onstar antenna? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Williams Posted October 29, 2023 Share Posted October 29, 2023 (edited) If that’s a Norwegian F-35A, it’s a brake chute housing. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2019/10/11/norways-f-35s-have-a-problem-with-a-unique-piece-of-gear/ It’s in the Tamiya 1/48 kit. Edited October 29, 2023 by Dave Williams Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted October 29, 2023 Share Posted October 29, 2023 Thanks, haven't followed the program very closely past few years. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Murph Posted October 30, 2023 Share Posted October 30, 2023 On 10/28/2023 at 9:07 PM, habu2 said: What is the fairing on the aft end of the fuselage? I haven't seen that before. The tail turret. Regards, Murph Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Niels Posted October 31, 2023 Share Posted October 31, 2023 On 10/29/2023 at 2:36 PM, Dave Williams said: If that’s a Norwegian F-35A, it’s a brake chute housing. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2019/10/11/norways-f-35s-have-a-problem-with-a-unique-piece-of-gear/ It’s in the Tamiya 1/48 kit. Correct, tail chute housing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Grindcore Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 On 10/29/2023 at 9:36 AM, Dave Williams said: If that’s a Norwegian F-35A, it’s a brake chute housing. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2019/10/11/norways-f-35s-have-a-problem-with-a-unique-piece-of-gear/ It’s in the Tamiya 1/48 kit. Does anyone make this in 1/72??? I have some Norwegian markings from Wolfpak that I would like to use. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jbryan911 Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 1 hour ago, Grindcore said: Does anyone make this in 1/72??? I have some Norwegian markings from Wolfpak that I would like to use. The only two I think that are worth building are Tamiya and Academy. and neither have it. The Tamiya 1/48 kit does include it, so you you would have a good reference to scale it down. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Grindcore Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 (edited) 5 hours ago, jbryan911 said: The only two I think that are worth building are Tamiya and Academy. and neither have it. The Tamiya 1/48 kit does include it, so you you would have a good reference to scale it down. Do you know if the Academy multi-nations kit has it? I'll check scalemates and look at the instructions I guess. Wish that Tamiya had included it. Upon further review, no joy on any of the 1/72 versions. Edited January 5 by Grindcore Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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