Whaz up,
Yes I broke down and bought a jet kit(how dare I). Its Panda’s new X(F)-35B in 1/48th.
So far they have two variants out, the Air Forces (non VSTOL) and the USMC(VSTOL).
To my amazment its on the size of a F-16. Overall the kit does not look bad at all. What I can see there is hardly no excess flashing. Thats a good thing right???
It comes on a total of 4 trees including the clear. I’ll start from the outside and work my why to the office.
The engraved lines overall are nice(maybe a lil deep in some spots/shallow in others) but in all a good job.
The two main part which are the fuselage halfs, are split horizontially. Stableators are in two pieces with a very small amount of detail to speak of.
The landing gear struts are crisp with lil detail. As for the wheels, they look like they came off of my ol tricycle LOL. Na they are very plain with no detail(roundness could be better). At least give us some bolts and treads here. Gear bays are just boxs w/ minimal wiring/plumbing.
The external stores yeah right. I really dont see any hints that this thing is armed or is capable of carrying. Okay I know it s new in all but I want weapons. It sure aint gonna scare the enemy just by its looks right LOL 
They give you two halfs for the engine. The engine is nicely done but the funny thing is that you are not going to see any of it once you close it up (Bummer). For the burner well its there.
I know you have been waiting for this, here comes the office. One thing is the instrument panel is no decal YIPPEE. Have you seen a Italeri cockpit before??? Well there you go need I say more. The ejection seat needs improvement big time. The canopy is extremely well done. PHEW…!!!
Either you can put it in the markings of the test a/c or based out of Misawa japan. It is good for a beginner to the advanced(who loves to detail). In all I give it 6 out of a poss 10. Well I’m done with this chpt 
Cant wait to get this bird on my shelf. Flaps up Mike
I know that there will be A LOT of aftermarket details for this bird.
I notice the kit has the incorrect canopy. The aircraft actually built has a seperate windshield, while the kit has a 1-piece bubble, like the proposal mockup. I hate it when a model company rushes a kit into production before the design is finalized.
Is the Panda kit just a scale-up of the Italeri kit, or is it an original tool?
As for weapons, the plane has an internal weapons bay. That’s the wave of the future apparently, to enhance stealth qualities.
I know the weapons are internal but the kit does not really represent good. Basically this kit is the test version.
If its a scale up to the Italeri kit, it very well looks like it. Than again could be wrong. Flaps up Mike
Hey John P.
The single piece canopy that the AF’s F-35 has is actually the USMC’s. After doing some research,your right the AF’s is a two piece.
Dont really know why Panda models did not go the extra step??? BUMMER MAN
Flaps up, Mike