Reviews of scale model decal sets.

Review Author
Rob Booth
Published on
Company
Iliad Design
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$12.00

Iliad Design is an Ottawa, Canada based firm that offers decals and color chart references for scale modelers.

The subjects of this set are post-WWII era Beechcraft Model 18s in military markings. Markings are included for three aircraft as follows:

  • SNB-2H Hospital Aircraft based at NAS Jacksonville
  • UC-45J based at NAS Atsugi, mid-1960s
  • AT-7C of an unknown unit, buzz #TB-482, 1946

The sheet is printed in perfect register with very little carrier film border. Colors are bold, and the ink is solidly dense, reducing or eliminating opaque tendencies of the lighter colors. The letter-sized instruction sheet calls out paint colors and particulars for each aircraft. Also noted are the nacelle and leading edge modifications necessary to model the Atsugi bird, and references the Belcher Bits resin parts to complete it.

Review Author
Paul R. Brown
Published on
Company
Twobobs Aviation Graphics
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$14.00

The Air Force’s 64th Aggressor Squadron uses specially painted F-16s in fulfilling its role of simulating opposing air forces. Over the years its F-5s and F-16s have worn a wide variety of paint schemes mimicking those used by potential opponents. Last year, the Squadron painted several of its F-16s in the “Shark” and “Splinter” schemes recently observed on Russian Su-34s and the Sukhoi T-50. Two Bobs has now issued decal sheets in 1/32, 1/48 and 1/72 scales to allow modelers to depict both schemes.

Sheet 72-104 provides markings for two aircraft in the “Splinter" scheme and one in the “Shark” scheme. Two of the aircraft (one in each scheme) are Block 32 jets while the third is a block 25 jet. As I had an old Hasegawa model of an early block F-16, I decided to use it for this project. I am not an F-16 expert, so it is possible that the kit actually represents a different block number, so I apologize in advance if I did get it wrong!

Review Author
Robert Head
Published on
Company
Twobobs Aviation Graphics
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$24.00

About the Company

Two Bobs is a limited run/ Custom Decal company based out of Fort Worth, Texas and is owned and operated by Mr. Bob Sanchez. Mr. Sanchez is a former enlisted Air Force engineer and has been very active in the modeling community almost all of his life. Two-Bob decals usually sell out very well and once their limited run subjects sell out they are not available for reprint. Get them while they are available or be prepared to pay the eBay supply vs Demand Price.

What’s on the Sheet?

The first aftermarket sheet ever released for the F-16C/D Thunderbirds! The USAF is celebrating its 70th Anniversary in 2017 and these markings are current for this year’s airshow season.

One full set of Thunderbird markings are included with unique aircrew and maintenance markings for each individual jet. A bonus to the 2017 markings are the names that were carried during Buzz Aldrin's flight at the Homestead Airshow.

Review Author
Phil Peterson
Published on
Company
Werners Wings
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$14.00

Werner’s Wings have been known for resin aftermarket and decals for helicopters. It is nice to see some fixed wing offerings coming out. The first such centers around Vietnam air ace Steve Ritchie and covers aircraft he flew during his MiG kills as well as planes flown by a few other noted pilots from this conflict. The sheet is also available in 1/48th scale and was previously reviewed and since this sheet covers the exact same aircraft with the same instructions there really isn’t anything more for me to add.

What, you want more? OK.

Review Author
Robert Head
Published on
Company
Furball Aero-Design
MSRP
$19.99

About the Company

Founded in January 2012, Furball Aero-Design's goal is to provide the enthusiast/ modeler with most accurate, well researched, and interesting decal sets available on the market. Their decal sets will always be jammed packed with multiple markings options and provide the modeler with the best value bar none. Each decal set is printed to the highest quality standards by the Hobby Industry's leading decal printer, Cartograf of Italy.

What’s on the Sheet?

This Particular sheet covers 17 aircraft from 3(USA, Norway, Japan) of the current 12 countries involved or part of the FMS sales.

The aircraft covered are as followed:

Review Author
Robert Head
Published on
Company
AOA Decals
Scale
1/32

About the Company

AOA is a newer decal company and they are a purpose driven. AOA’s goal was to fill the gap of a lack of decals for Marine and Navy aircraft on the aftermarket scene and boy what a way to make an entrance by going to the 1/32 Trumpeter A-6/A-6E Tram models. For those of you looking for large scale Navy Markings keep AoA on your priority list.

What’s on the Sheet?

This Particular sheet covers four USN Tram intruders from the Cold war through Desert Storm.

The aircraft covered are as followed:

Review Author
Robert Head
Published on
Company
AOA Decals
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$24.50

About the Company

AOA is a newer decal company and they are a purpose driven. AOA’s goal was to fill the gap of a lack of decals for Vietnam era – Desert Storm era aircraft on the aftermarket scene and boy what a way to make an entrance by going to the 1/32 Trumpeter A-6/A-6E Tram models. For those of you looking for new markings for USAF/USN/Marine aircraft in all 3 scales, they should be added to your list.

What’s on the Sheet?

This Particular sheet covers 6 including the ill-fated 1967 Forrestal flight deck explosion and fire disaster and their more well-known markings from the 1970s USN Tram intruders from the Vietnam war through the Cold War era.

The aircraft covered are as followed:

Review Author
Dave Koukol
Published on
Company
Werners Wings
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$16.00

Background

The air war in Vietnam was a departure from what the United States had experienced in prior conflicts. The over-dependence on air-to-air missiles, micromanagement of operations from the White House, and countless constraints and rules of engagement put American aircrews at a distinct disadvantage against North Vietnamese adversaries. Despite those limitations, the US forces adapted to circumstances, exercised some good old American ingenuity, and managed to generate several aces and some legendary missions based on unorthodox tactics. A common thread in the making of these aces and employment of these tactics was the F-4 Phantom II.

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Furball Aero-Design
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$9.99

Furball Aero-Design has issued a new 1/48th scale sheet specifically for all the F-14 Tomcat models currently on the market. This sheet includes all the various stenciling and data which cover the plane on top/bottom and both sides. It includes both stencils for both the Gull Gray over white scheme, as well as, the Tactical Paint scheme and there are enough stencils to do both.

Inside the package, you will find a 3 x 6-inch decal sheet printed by Microscale and double-sided color instructions. This sheet has all the needed profiles to add the decals with one side being gray/white and the other tactical. Markings also include the drop tank, ejection seat and slime light decals. The decals are thin and well printed but as they say, the proof is in the pudding so I wanted to try these on the new Tamiya kit.

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Furball Aero-Design
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$27.99

With the release of the wonderful Tamiya F-14A kit, the decals are coming from Furball Aero-Design to dress up your kit with some of the most striking and memorable markings. This set is titled “Sundowners Anthology” and covers the F-14A as flown by VF-111 Sundowners that cruises with the USS Carl Vinson and USS Kitty Hawk. VFA-111 can trace its history back all the way to 1942 flying Grumman Wildcats. The set includes markings for nineteen (yup, nineteen) VF-111 F-14A’s and covers all of the major and some minor schemes flown by the squadron.