Academy’s models have a great reputation these days. This 1/72nd scale F-35A is the most recent addition to the stable of excellence.

This kit is a gem from the excellent packaging to the multi-color parts, which actually make it easier to build (as explained below). The decals are great, the plastic superb and crisp, and the appearance of the finished model is stunning. This is a lot of accolades, but they are accurate. In my opinion, this is the definitive new F-35 kit.

Introduction

Round 2 continues to re-release some of those oldies some of us loved way back when. For builders like me this truly is a second chance. I was not a car builder when these kits were initially released. This time we get a release with a twist. A Hot Rod Magazine inspired, Hemi powered 1972 Mustang. The twist is a coupon good for a year of Hot Rod Magazine when sent it in with a purchase receipt for the model. As for the model, you get about 60 parts molded in white, black, clear and chrome. There are two deployed drag chutes you can wire to the back of the car. I don’t see how that works since there is no driver included in the kit. The rear slicks are pre printer with a Goodyear logo. The instructions do not include any color callouts but the box top photos show some suggested colors. I say suggested because this appears to be a fictitious car created to (along with the subscription offer) promote Hot Rod magazine.

History

As quoted from the introduction in the book "Self-propelled tank destroyers constituted an essential component of the Third Reich’s armored arm. Vehicles, which were especially useful in defensive warfare, in which the German army found itself after losing strategic initiative on the Eastern Front in the summer 1943 and following the Allied landing in Italy and France, with time began to effectively compete in armored sub-units with classic tanks. One of the largest vehicles of that type was Jagdpanther Sd.Kfz. 173, based on the chassis of the famous Panther tank".