Background Information

Iliad Design is a Canadian producer of decals, books, and aircraft color charts. Decals are offered in 1/32nd, 1/48th and 1/72nd scales and cover propeller- and jet-powered aircraft

Decal Sheet Contents

This sheet offers markings for seven MiG-19 and Chinese manufactured J-6 aircraft. Countries include Egypt, Pakistan, and Russia. Many of the color schemes are a bit odd and unusual, which makes for some interesting subjects.

The first aircraft is a Shenyang J-6, the Chinese version of the MiG-19S, in Pakistani Air Force markings. The aircraft is a three-color scheme, with the FS colors called out.

Next is a Shenyang J-6 of the Egyptian Air Force, in a two-color scheme, and the FS colors are noted.

The third aircraft is another Pakistani J-6 in red, green and white retirement markings. This is a very colorful aircraft.

Caracal Models is one of leaders in aviation decals offered in 1/32, 1/48, 1/72 and 1/144 scale with many unique subjects never offered before now. This B-1B Lancer (“BONE”) is a continuation of a very popular subject with large colorful nose art and some tail flash.

Printed by Cartograph, the four sheets are printed perfectly with the small markings are very fine and easy to read. Two of the four sheets are dedicated to walkways, stencils and standard markings. The other two sheets are unique to each subject. Markings included for McConnel (127^th BS in 2000), three Dyess aircraft, one Ellsworth and one Robins AFB aircraft. There are instructions consist of eight color sheets that clearly show placement of markings for the six subjects. The instructions indicate the correct FS paint color (one color makes it easy) for all aircraft with note options of painting the refueling receptacle instead of a decal.

Czech Master Kits, CMK, have released a really nice P-40N kit recently and a ton of aftermarket items for it and other P-40 kits.

This set is one of several replacement tire kits and features the cross thread pattern which resin is probably the best medium to capture this detail.

The set includes two main wheels and tires with alternate hub detail parts. The cross thread pattern is really well done and I could not find a molding blemish or bubble in the castings. These are direct replacements for the kit items.

These wheels will really add detail to one of your P-40 builds. Just make sure to check your references to make sure you use the correct hub and type of threads.

Thanks to Special Hobby and IPMS/USA for the review kit.

Background

Originally conceived and developed as a carrier-based fighter for the United States Navy, the F4U Corsair was initially adopted by the US Marine Corps as a dependable and extremely lethal land-based fighter-bomber. The Corsair’s unique and innovative configuration incorporated engine oil coolers in the inboard wing sections, with the resulting airflow through them making an unmistakable whistling sound, audible over the sound of the engine and firing of its guns. So predominant and unnerving was this sound to the Japanese forces on the receiving end of Corsair wrath that they dubbed the Corsair “Whistling Death.” Designed and manufactured by Chance Vought under the designation F4U and license built by Goodyear as FG-1, Corsairs became the staple of Marine Corps fighter units in the Pacific Theatre from 1942 until the end of World War II in 1945.

When Eduard released its first 1/72 MiG-21MF kit last summer, it continued its recent trend of splitting the decals into two separate sheets, one with the unique markings for the aircraft depicted in the kit, the other being a full sheet of stencils. This method not only simplifies the decal printing process when Eduard decides to release additional boxings of the kit with new markings, but it also allows Eduard to release the stencil sheet as a stand-alone decal sheet.