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Scale Models

Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk

‘The Toxic Avenger’, 85-0813, Col. Al Whitley, 416 TFS, 37 TFW, USAF, Nellis AFB, NV, USA

The Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk was a groundbreaking aircraft. As the world’s first operational stealth aircraft, it was a product of the secretive Skunk Works division of Lockheed Corporation. It was specifically engineered to minimize radar detection. At the time it was designed, the computers lacked the power to generate aerodynamic radar absorbing designs. The result was the F-117’s distinctive, angular shape, a radical departure from conventional aircraft design.

Clad in a radar-absorbent material, the F-117 could penetrate heavily defended airspace undetected, delivering precision strikes against high-value targets. This capability was instrumental in its successful deployment during the Gulf War, where it demonstrated its effectiveness by destroying command and control centres, bridges, and other critical infrastructure. Despite its initial success, the high cost and the advent of more advanced stealth technologies led to its retirement in 2008.

The model

The Tamiya kit of the F-117A in 1/48 was first released in 1998. Despite it’s age, it is an excellent kit. The surface details are nicely engraved and the fit is excellent. In the cockpit, the instrument panel and the side consoles come with fine engraved details. The same is true for the landing gear bays and the bomb bay. The parts count is not very big but there are no missing details. The final model dimensions are impressive. In 1/48 the length of the finished model is 426mm while the wingspan is 276mm. The F-117 is a large plane!

Unfortunately the kit is no longer available from Tamiya. I was lucky to find it on a kit swap in a Scale Model convention for the great price of 30 euros.

Inside the typical oversized Tamiya hard cardboard box we find:

  • 4 sprue frames with parts in black plastic.
  • 2 sprue frames with parts in white plastic.
  • 1 sprue frame with parts in tinted transparent plastic.
  • 1 stainless steel cylinder to be used as a weight to avoid tail sitting.
  • 1 decal sheet with marking and labels.
  • 1 masking template for the transparencies.
  • 1 black-and-white 10-page instruction sheet.
  • Normally the box should also contain a 2-page painting and decal instructions sheet but in my case this was missing. Thankfully, I was able to download it from Scalemates.

The cockpit details of the Tamiya kit were nice, but I wanted a bit more so I purchased a Photo-etch upgrade set from Eduard.

Building the kit

I started the construction by sanding away the engraved details on the cockpit side consoles and instrument panel, preparing the surfaces for the Eduard PE parts. Then, I started to add the numerous photo-etched grills and other details on the fuselage, the cockpit back wall and the inside of the canopy. Then, I assembled the landing gear legs and glued various photo-etched details there as well.

After that, I continued with building as many other sub-assemblies as possible before I had to start painting. I built the V-tail, the Flaperons, the engine exhausts, the bombs and their cribs.

However, before I continued any further, I had to deal with a classic Tamiya issue: ejector pin marks. The ones in the landing gear bays were not going to be visible on the completed model, so I did not bother with them. However, the ones in the bomb bay and the bomb bay door had to be filled and sanded before I continued.

After this had been taken care of, I started with the paint job. All the internal surfaces (cockpit, sensor bays, landing gear bays, bomb bay) were primed with GSI Mr. Surfacer 1500 – Black.

The cockpit was then painted with GSI Mr. Hobby Grey FS 36375 (H308) with the addition of a little white, to simulate the colour of the photo-etched consoles. The ejection seat was painted using the same colour. The seatbelt cushions were painted in GSI Mr. Hobby RLM 02 Grey (H70). The cockpit edges were painted using GSI Mr. Hobby Off White (H21), while the HUD and the coaming were painted using Tamiya NATO Black (XF-69). The cockpit was completed by adding the photo-etched parts for the side consoles and the instrument panels.

The cockpit, nose gear, main gear and bomb bay tubs were glued in place and then it was time to button-up the fuselage and wings. In typical Tamiya fashion, the fit was exemplary.

Painting the kit

Using the included masking template, I created 2 copies of masks for the transparencies. I masked the canopy, inside-out and sprayed the frame with Tamiya NATO Black (XF-69). Then I temporarily attached it on the model to protect the cockpit.

The model was sprayed all over with GSI Mr. Surfacer 1500 – Grey, mixed with a little of GSI Mr. Hobby Flat Black (H12) to make it moree dark.

Then, some pre-shading was done on the panel lines and the edges of the flat facets, using diluted Tamiya Flat white (XF-2). I followed by pre-shading the big flat surfaces with GSI Mr. Hobby RLM 02 Grey (H70) and Tamiya Buff (XF-57), using an airbrush stencil.

I then proceeded with spraying a few light layers of Tamiya NATO Black (XF-69). Then, I added a few drops of Tamiya Flat white (XF-2) and highlighted some panels and details to make them more interesting.

After everything was left to dry, it was time for a gloss coat, before the decals. Tamiya Clear (X-22) was used for this purpose. The decals were applied, assisted by Microscale MicroSet and MicroSol. Another layer of Tamiya Clear (X-22) sealed the decals.

The panel lines were highlighted, using Flory models Wash – Grime (FMW007) and then the model was sprayed with VMS Varnish HD MATT (AX15M). finally, I proceeded with weathering the surfaces using KOH-I-NOOR TOISON D’OR 8552 Extra Soft Artist’s Pastels (8552).

The finished model

Products Used

KitBoxScaleCode
Tamiya
Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk		1/4861059
Eduard
F-117A		1/4849286