Introduction

The Grumman F6F Hellcat series was one of the most important U.S. Navy carrier fighters of World War II, with the first F6F-3 production models appearing in late 1942. Powered by a P.W. R-2800-10 radial engine of 2000 hp., the fighter was powerful, heavily armed with six .50 cal. machine guns, well protected with armor and self-sealing fuel tanks, and fast, 335 mph. at sea level and 376 mph. at 17,300 ft. Although it could be out-turned by the Zero, its main adversary, it held virtually every other advantage, especially since by the time the Hellcat came into service in 1943, many of the highly experienced Japanese pilots had been lost in combat, and their replacements were poorly trained compared to the American pilots, who entered combat with roughly four times the flying time of their Japanese counterparts.

First, let me thank Squadron Products for these review samples an IPMS/USA for allowing me to review them.

The recommended model for these two sets of decals is the Revell 1/48 A-6E Intruder. Revell first released their A-6E 23 years ago in 1988 (kit # 4578). They have re-released it in 2011 (kit # 85-5626). The new kit includes decals for VA-85, the Black Falcons on the U.S.S. Forrestal and VA-35, the Panthers on the U.S.S. Nimitz. The old kit contained decals for VA-196, CAG, on the USS Coral Sea and VA-85 on the USS Saratoga.

Squadron Products has issued two new decal sheets for this old, but popular war bird. Decal set MS481254 contains markings and tail art for Marine squadrons VMA-121 and VMA-224. Decal set MS481253 contains markings and tail art for VA-196 and VMAT-202. You may have noticed a repeat, VA-196, with the old Revell kit. The decals for VA-196 were added after the release of the movie, Flight of the Intruder in 1991.

The latest release from Airscale is a sheet of decals to replicate 1/48^thscale Luftwaffe cockpit placards. The cockpit placards are on a single sheet of film. These are typical of the rest of Airscale’s releases. High quality decals printed by Fantasy Workshop.

Included on this set are General Warnings, Notices, Manufacturers Data Plates, Primary Instructions and Radio Labeling. You get plenty of placards to do numerous aircraft. If there was a downside, it is that there aren’t any instructions as to where these placards go. A little bit of research will take care of that though.

These decals are the same as any other water slide decals. This will be a nice addition to your model. I know I can’t paint this detail.

Highly recommended

You can obtain yours by contacting them at www.airscale.co.uk. Let them know IPMS/USA sent you.

Thanks to Airscale and IPMS/USA for the review copy.

Eduard offers modelers a single fret photo etch detail set for the Special Hobby 1/32 Ki-27 kit. Set #32 864 provides parts for adding detail to the engine and the cockpit. The set includes a total of 42 pre-painted parts either to add something not in the kit, to replace some kit parts, and/or to enhance the ones that will be used. This set features Eduard’s self-adhesive backing to make installation easier.

Since the F4U is one of many of my favorite World War II aircraft, I had to add this one to my collection. I recently purchased one of the latest publications that Squadron Signal did on the F4U Corsair, In Action series number SS1220. Both books complement each other extremely well. The Walk Around series number SS5565 of this aircraft isn’t disappointing in the least bit. It’s perfect for the modeler who wants to detail the Corsair to the utmost. It’s filled with color pictures of every nook and cranny that the photographer can see, eighty pages worth, and no black and white pictures. The only two quarter-page illustrations found are of the three canopy designs and two cowling designs that the Corsair went through.