Aires has been on the scene for some time now, producing some amazing details in resin and photo etch metal. Among aftermarket aficionados, Aires is the top of the pack for the level of detail and quality of casting. This set for the AFV Club 1/48 series of F-5 Tiger II kits is no exception, though installation is quite another matter.

In the Box

Released in October, 2011, this Hasegawa kit is a superb model and is a “must have” for any Blue Angels aficionado, or any Hornet fan. The parts supplied in the kit allow one to build either the B or the D model of the Hornet, both in Blue Angels markings. I was at the air show at Randolph AFB in November, 2011, at which #7 replaced a non-serviceable Super Hornet, and was very pleased to see that it was #7 that Hasegawa was featuring in this fine kit.

The Parts

The parts are molded in a blue color that is a very close approximation of the FS15050 of the Blue Angels. A small fret of photo etch is included, as well as cast metal landing gear. There are approximately 225 parts in this kit, some 40 of which are not used for the Blue Angels B or D model of the Super Hornet. These parts are obviously for a different variant, probably the E.

This decal sheet provides markings for eighteen Dutch Thunderjet aircraft. The package includes two sheets of decals and a four-page printed instruction sheet with general details of the decal placement. This decal sheet is a supplement to Dutch Profile #12, available from the same location. The color profile drawings from the book cover the same aircraft and provide a much clearer indication of the colors.

This decal sheet provides nose and tail numbers for all of the aircraft listed in the instruction sheet plus a few others that can be found in the Dutch Profile. A single set of national markings is provided, along with three sets of tail stripes and seven wing tank markings. Clearly, the modeler can produce a single model from this sheet. By obtaining some Dutch national insignia sheets, more models can be produced.