F-35B Lightning II RAF, 617 Sqn, HMS Queen Elizabeth, Operation FORTIS, 2021 (1:72)

Hobbymaster 1/72nd scale HA4614 Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II "Beast Mode" ZM148, RAF 617 Sqn, HMS Queen Elizabeth, "Op. FORTIS" 2021. The Lockheed F-35 is an advanced stealth fifth generation fighter combining speed and superb agility. There are three variants; F-35A, B and C. The F-35A CTOL (Conventional Take Off and Landing) and has four internal weapons stations in two weapons bays plus three optional external weapons stations. The F-35B STOVL (Short Take Off Vertical Landing) variant while the F-35C is a CV (Carrier Variant). The F-35 will replace the USAF A-10 and F-16, the F/A-18 for the USN and the F/A-18 and AV-8B Harrier for the USMC. The United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group 21 is a British-led naval force that is currently deployed on Operation Fortis between May and December of 2021. The Carrier Strike Group is seen as the beginning of the British Government�s tilt towards the Indo-Pacific region in terms of defence and foreign policy, that had been announced in March through the Integrated Review. It is the first strike group deployment for the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, and the first operational deployment of the UK Carrier Strike Group since 2011. The deployment is the largest single deployment of F-35 fighter aircraft since the programme started in 2006, and the largest fifth-generation fighter carrier air wing in the world. Furthermore, HMS Queen Elizabeth sees the largest number of personnel embarked since she entered service, and the group will contain the largest number of Royal Navy maritime helicopters deployed in over 10 years.