This particular sheet is part one of AOA’s Vietnamese Spads series. They offer this sheet in both 1/72 and 1/48 scale. The subject options on this sheet are:
Last summer Furball Aero Design released a set of decals for Carrier Air Wing Eight during its participation in Operation Inherent Resolve in 2017. And what a set it is, providing markings for five F/A-18F’s (VFA-213), eight F/A-18E’s (VFA-31 and VFA-87), three F/A-18C’s (VFA-37) and two EA-18G’s (VAQ-131) and include the markings for VFA-87’s F/A-18E that shot down a Syrian Su-22 on June 18, 2017 (both before and after) and its wingman. The decals are on two sheets and appear to include enough stencils for 3 models (2 Super Hornets/Growlers and one Legacy Hornet (F/A-18C).
Between April to October of 2018, several F-15Es from the 494th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron (the "Panthers") deployed to an undisclosed location in the Middle East to support Coalition Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve, tasked with striking Islamic State targets in Iraq and Syria. While deployed, the Panthers completed nearly 2,000 missions, over 10,000 flying hours, employing more than 500 precision-guided munitions in support of US Central Command operations. On their return to Lakenheath at the end of the deployment, the aircraft were seen sporting some very striking nose art and mission markings.
Since 2001, TwoBobs decals has built up a reputation for high-quality, well-researched and detailed decal sheets with a focus on modern US aircraft. This decal sheet focuses on some of the more prominent Panthers from the OIR deployment.
The airframes on this sheet are:
Opening the package of decals you will find two large sheets of beautifully printed markings for no less than nine Corsairs These aircraft include mostly F4U-1A’s with markings for two F4U-1D’s and one late war FG-1D. There is no instruction booklet included in the package. However going to the Fundekals website you can download the instruction booklet as a PDF file. I call this an instruction booklet as it is comprised of 24 pages of Color and B&W illustrations and photographs of each of the aircraft covered on the sheet. Also in the booklet are precise instructions pointing out the various differences in each of the covered aircraft. A detailed history of each covered aircraft and its pilot is included. A really nice touch was a page covering the various different antenna arrangements. Covering, as they say, “Some stuff you might not have known”. Another page explains “New research on insignia colors in the Solomons. 1943-1944”.
EVEN more THANKS VERY MUCH to our friends at Eduard in Czechoslovakia!, and Phil and John in the specialized shipping to reviewer’s business.
This review is uber simple without a tip requirement for the driver. It’s the basic stencils from the Tempest Profipak kit decal sheet, to which you can apply to the marking you want from the kit OR some other source. It’s all there… and the only decals I didn’t use were those specific to certain kit markings; like the door outline in red with a lot of instructions on how to open it, the yellow “cut here on the canopy, and myriad two-dot decals to indicate airframe bolts with specialty metal composition.
I did not have time or vision to put the dots on. Sorry.
I’ve always been a huge fan of Master Box figures-- using them in vignettes and dioramas whenever I can. So when I got the email offering up one in 1/24 scale, I jumped at the chance not knowing anything about this new line. I figured I could use it with a car or truck like some of their previous lines featured. So while I was waiting for the shipment to arrive, I started doing some research.
This particular figure is part of a new series called “At the Edge of the Universe” set in a world called Steamplanet. Being a huge Firefly fan where the sci-fi steampunk meets the old West, this looked right up my alley. The back of the box provides a bit of an idea of the setting. The whole thing has me wanting either a book series or movie based on the story ideas presented in this line of figures - with additional kits featuring space security forces, ruffians, ladies, and robots.
AoA (Angle of Attack) decals are in their fourth year by my records, and continue to release some of their earlier Vietnam War subjects in different scale from the earlier releases … We sincerely appreciate AoA sending IPMS/USA their latest releases for review! (…and the usual thanks also to IPMS USA Reviewer corps leadership John and Phil for sending these my way...)
This sheet provides 11 different paint schemes, and covers the range of Vietnamese A-1 schemes from the early 1960’s to the early 1970’s.
Airframe stencils in included for each model, along with national insignia. This sheet focuses on the main markings for the aircraft, particularly since several of these SPADS were repainted with camo and as such did not receive replacement stencil markings.
Notable options include several early 1960’s A-1’s with colorful tail bands; I believe these markings would sell the sheet more than anything, as they certainly have some different markings.
Two Bobs Aviation Graphics is one of leaders in aviation decals with an impressive variety in 1/32, 1/48 and 1/72 scale. This latest release, which has very large amount of markings, fifteen to be exact! Each of the fifteen subjects of the 494th Fighter Squadron have colorful nose art that are real attention getters like "Dead Pool" "Texas Ranger" and one of the markings, "2-Oh-40oz" which has an image of a red tail P-51D dropping bombs. The aircraft and nose are included is: 00-3001 "Jenny"; 00-3002 "Devils Darlin"; 00-3003 ""Gears of War"; 00-3004 "Bulls Eye"; 01-2000 "Valkyrie; 91-1311 "Lady Liberty"; 91-1313 "Texas Ranger"; 91-1314 "Chief"; 91-1324 " White Walrus"; 91-1326 "Ravage"; 91-1329 ""Deadpool"; 91-1335 "Megalodon"; 96-1602 "A-Bombinator"; 96-0201 "Firebird" and 96-0204 ""2-Oh-40oz".
The F-15, no other aircraft in history has been as successful in air-to-air engagement, as the Eagle. Prior to Desert Storm, the Eagle was used successfully by the Israelis but had been unproven in use by the US Air Force.
The F-15C is a beautiful aircraft and during Desert Storm it proved itself so successful scoring 32 aerial victories of the 41 victories achieved by the US forces.
Fightertown decals is an online retailer offering decals for the various series of F-14 Tomcats and F-18 Super Hornets. Currently, the offerings are limited to 1/48th scale aircraft and data markings. Each decal sheet includes marking for several aircraft.
The decal sheet is big: 8 5/8" by 11 1/2" size. A smaller decal sheet is also included that provides additional windscreen tinting decals, plus smaller items that are somewhat of a mystery to me at this point.
