Lockheed F-35A Lightning II

BAF, FL010, Florennes AB, Belgium, Oct. 2025

+ B61  nuclear bomb / Hobby Master 1:72 HA4449

The Belgian Air Force operates F-35A Lightning II aircraft from Florennes Air Base in Wallonia, transitioning from its legacy F-16 fleet. The first jets arrived in October 2025 directly from the United States, marking the start of Belgium's fifth-generation fighter era. Florennes was upgraded with hardened shelters, maintenance facilities, and simulators to support the new aircraft. The F-35As will enhance Belgium's air defense, strike capability, and NATO interoperability, forming the backbone of the country's future combat fleet. Additional deliveries over the next years will expand operational readiness, enabling full retirement of the F-16s and integration into multinational missions. This release includes a pair of optional B61 bombs. The B61 is a U.S. thermonuclear gravity bomb with adjustable yields from about 0.3kt up to roughly 50kt, for tactical and strategic use.

Lockheed F-35A Lightning II

Designed to meet the US Military's requirement for a multi-role Joint Strike Fighter, the F-35 was first flown on December 15, 2006. This single-seat fighter is one of the most advanced aircraft of our time, said to be four times more effective at air-to-air combat and eight times more effective at air-to-ground combat than any other existing aircraft. It uses a low-maintenance stealth technology, and some versions have an innovative Lift System, which gives the F-35 vertical take-off and landing capabilities. The US plans to buy a total of 2,443 F-35s at a cost of $323 billion, which makes the F-35 the most expensive defense program in history.

Hobby Master "1:72 Air Power Series" diecast airplanes feature:

• Molded metal construction with plastic components.
• Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
• Inscriptions and posters printed with a stamp that do not fade or fall off like decals.
• opening of awnings, revealing detailed within the cockpit.
• Extended / retracted interchangeable landing gear.
• Display stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
• Authentic detachable artillery cargoes complete with placards.