Background

On July 25, 1909 Louis Bleriot assembled a tiny monoplane of his own design on a farm in Les Baraques, France. Weighing in at 500 lbs. and powered by a 25 HP Anzani three cylinder motorcycle engine, the airplane was the picture of utility. Still limping from a recent crash (one of many Bleriot had) he climbed into the monoplane after a short warm up flight and set out across the English Channel. 37 ½ minutes later flying at speeds up to 42 mph per hour at an altitude of 260 feet, Bleriot spotted the white cliffs of Dover and threaded his way through a gap in them to crash land on English soil. His goal in accomplishing this feat was not the prize money that totaled 20,000 dollars, but Bleriot wanted to sell airplanes and did he ever. As a result of the fame gained from the channel crossing, Bleriot would go on to build about 250 model XIs.

Furball Aero-Designs latest sheet is for the Hobbyboss 1/48 A-6A/B Intruders. This sheet has 15 different aircraft. The Intruders included are Vietnam era aircraft. Inside the package, there are 2 color back and front sheets with profiles for each of the 15 planes and includes color call outs and decal placement. A third full size sheet shows decal placement on the wing tops and the back shows a very detailed stores loading. A final single sized sheet shows stencil placement with color call outs also. You get two HUGE decal sheets with all the needed markings, numbers, wing walks and national insignia. There is also a very small sheet which has the wing markings for two aircraft. The decals are printed by Cartograf and from my previous experience with Cartograf and Furball, they are superb in application and opacity.

There are marking included for the following aircraft:

First: Thanks to Aires for providing IPMS USA this figure to review! One of six in this review series, each shows a passion and dedication Aires have to providing the finest resin products. We appreciate your support, with the usual nod to IPMS USA leadership for allowing me to review these figures.

Produced under the Aerobonus branch of Aires, this particular figure, a Maintainer, like the other figures has outstanding detail and fidelity. The figure is wearing the “campaign hat” with the edges folded up, and a standard set of two-piece issue fatigues with a holstered .45 caliber pistol and cartridge belt. He is in a standing position, looking level to his left, with both hands resting on his upper thighs. Judging by the appearance and sculpture, this guy was a senior NCO in charge.

Another Aires improvement: Included with each set are painting instructions in color!