AOA Decals has provided IPMS/USA reviewer corps with a wonderful decal set for Vietnam War era markings for US Marine Corps A-6A, A-6B, and KA-6D Intruders. The rollout of this decal sheet coincides with the 2023 release of the 1/72 scale Trumpeter A-6A Intruder.

This 1/72 decal sheet covers all four USMC A-6 Intruder squadrons during the Vietnam War:

• VMA(AW)-224 Bengals - USS Coral Sea (1971-72)
• VMA(AW)-225 Vikings - Da Nang, South Vietnam (1969-71)
• VMA(AW)-242 Batmen - Da Nang, South Vietnam (1966-70)
• VMA(AW)-533 Hawks - Chu Lai, South Vietnam (1967-69) & Nam Phong (“The Rose Garden”), Thailand (1972-73)

This set also includes markings for MERs, fuel tanks, and crew helmets.In addition, it includes special Easter 1970 bomb graffiti for VMA(AW)-225 and there are reference pictures to show the look of the ordnance and decal placement.

Summary

These highly detailed missiles would make a great addition to any of today’s super detailed models. The text on the labels is legible with magnification. There is minimal construction, but be prepared to spend a lot of time applying the numerous small decals.

Background

The following are excerpts from the website. The description for the AGM-84D is from https://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-84.html

The AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM) is a new generation air-to-air missile. It has an all-weather, beyond-visual-range capability and is scheduled to be operational beyond 2000.The AMRAAM is being procured for the Air Force, U.S. Navy and America's allies.

The CH-54 Tarhe helicopter was developed by Sikorsky Aircraft, a company founded by the prominent Ukrainian aircraft designer Igor Sikorski. The first flight of the helicopter, originally named S-64, took place on May 9^th, 1962. Specialized Universal Military Pods were created to expand the carrying capabilities of the Tarhe. A total of 22 of these pods were built.

Dave Morrissette of the IPMS Review Corp had already built and reviewed the initial version of this kit with just the helicopter. He offered me some excellent advice on getting the best possible result. He was not wrong when he said this model was huge and the box it arrived in was no different. It needed to be big to hold all the parts needed to build the kit!

This set is intended to be a quick upgrade to the gunner compartment of Special Hobby’s Ju 87D or Academy’s Ju 87G Stuka.The parts are 3D printed and as expected the detail is exquisite. As there are only three parts to the set, for most people this will be an easy upgrade. Unfortunately, my experience went the other way, but to be honest, with one exception, that was all my fault.

Quickboost is known for its resin upgrade accessories for 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32 scale aircraft. The resin reproduces details often not available in plastic model kits. This exhaust stack does a great job of replacing the kit’s plastic equivalent and literally just falls into place with some sanding.

With the release of Arma’s new 1/48 P-39 aircraft series, this accessory (designed for the Hasegawa P-39s) makes the exhaust stack pop even more with its detail. While researching exhausts on P-39 aircraft, different model numbers had different exhausts (most Airacobras had six per side, the P-39F and P-400 had twelve per side), so be sure to research the particular aircraft being modeled as Quickboost also makes other P-39 exhausts for the P-39, P-39Q/N, and P-400 Airacobras (along with other detail sets, including engines, flaps, gun barrels, etc).