A new vendor, DXM Decals from Taiwan, has provided the IPMS-USA reviewer corps with a wonderful waterslide decal set commemorating the JASDF 8th Squadron 60th Anniversary Special Painting of an F-2A “Panther Spots” in 2020.

The Anniversary markings are for the following aircraft:

• F-16C Block 50P, No. 13-8558 (SN 1058) – 8th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Tsuiki Air Base, Japan.

Contents

There is one folded color sheet, printed on both sides (8 X 11.5 inches) that shows decal placement. There are three decal sheets which come with a complete set of stencils and the special camouflage scheme. Painting references are for five colors: FS35109, FS36320, Black, Radome Gray, and a Black+5% White mixture.

The decals are made by Cartograf, who are known for their quality work. They are in perfect register with vibrant colors and barely any clear decal film edging. The print quality is excellent for this particular set.

AOA Decals has a good reputation for quality decals, and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to review another one of their newest releases, the M-ATV (1) M1240/M1277 US Air Force, Marines, Army, and National Guard (35-010). The decals come in two sheets, one consisting of stencils, and the other with markings for nine vehicles. The second decal sheet in the M-ATV series, M-ATV (2) M1240/M1277 US Army (MFO), Poland, Croatia, and Ukraine (35-011), was previously reviewed.

AOA Decals has a good reputation for quality decals, and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to review one of their newest releases, the M-ATV (2) M1240/M1277 US Army (MFO), Poland, Croatia, & Ukraine (35-011). The decals come in two sheets, one of stencils and the other of markings for nine options.

The Oshkosh M-ATV is a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle developed by the Oshkosh Corporation for the MRAP All-Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) program, to replace M1114 HMMWVs (Humvee). It is designed to provide the same levels of protection as the larger and heavier previous MRAPs, but with improved mobility. With nearly 10,000 M-ATVs in service since their introduction in 2009, there are a lot of options for modelers to build. Fortunately for modelers, AOA Decals has provided two decal sheets for the M-ATV.

From the AOA website, the 35-011 - M-ATV (2) M1240/M1277 US Army (MFO), Poland, Croatia, & Ukraine includes:

From AOA Decal Manufacturer’s Notes

14 options for JLTVs in US service:

• 2x Army Reserve (Fort McCoy)
• 12x USMC - Additional decals are also included without the tape/exercise markings that cover some various unit markings. Decals for an M1102 trailer are also included for one JLTV option.
• Includes full JLTV stencil data set (enough for two vehicles) with variations.
• For Rye Field Model (RFM) 1/35 JLTV.

Background and Historical Notes

As one of the military’s most important decisions, it put out a bid announcement for a replacement for its basic utility vehicle, what was to be called the ‘Joint Light Tactical Vehicle.’

Iliad Design has provided the IPMS/USA reviewer corps with a wonderful decal set of Hollywood stars who served in the USAAC (WWII) & USMC (Korean War) and the planes they served in.

The following Hollywood stars are:

1. Jimmy Stewart: B-24H Liberator “Male Call”, 703^rd BS, 453^rd BG, .
2. Gene Roddenberry: B-17E Flying Fortress “Yankee Doodle”, 5^th BG, 394^th BS.
3. Selar Shaik Sabu: B-24L Liberator “Janie”, 307^th BG, 424^th BS.
4. Clark Gable: B-17F Flying Fortress “The 8 Ball”, 351^st BG, 350^th BS.
5. Ed McMahon: Cessna L-19 Bird Dog, VMO-6 (USMC, Korean War)

In the Package

There is one decal sheet and two pages of instructions (printed front & back). It has individual markings for all five aircraft. Stencils, however, will need to be provided by the kit’s decals or from an aftermarket source.