FAC & BS Bomber Oscar Deuce USAF/VNAF O-2A/O-2B Skymaster in the Vietnam War

Published on
Review Author(s)
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$15.00
Product / Stock #
48-017
Base Kit
ICM
Company: AOA Decals - Website: Visit Site
Provided by: AOA Decals - Website: Visit Site

We’ve had the Testors O-2A Skymaster for many years but with the release of the ICM O-2A we get a modern tooled version of this aircraft.

Inside of an 8.5 x 11 ziplock baggie are three pages of double-sided, high quality paper instructions printed in full color. The instructions are full of useful information including loadouts and color callouts. There are 11 USAF/VNAF O-2As and three O-2Bs. The colors range from all black, to grey and white to camouflaged O-2Bs. Included in the decals and instructions are markings for three O-2B aircraft, straight off the shelf Cessnas fitted with loudspeakers and leaflets. True there isn’t a kit or conversion yet but there are decals for those so inclined. I thought that was a nice touch plus they are colorful. That will be my next one.

The decals themselves are printed on a single sheet with the complete stencils on top in both red and black, followed by the individual aircraft markings below. The color schemes are very similar so you’ll have to pick yours based off of what you like. I chose one that was a homage to a fallen FAC from Australia. He had the kangaroo on the tail and red/black stripes on the tail. I could have been easily swayed to use the “THE FAC” all black aircraft, but after putting the model in primer I switched to the grey and white scheme. It grew on me.

AOA Decals has some of the best Vietnam era markings for aircraft of the era and this sheet is no exception. It is beautifully drawn, perfectly researched and simple enough to understand. The decals performed perfectly over a gloss coat with no silvering and very little settling solution. They are thin and in perfect register. I can’t say enough good things about them. They were the perfect decal for my ICM Skymaster. Another great decal sheet from AOA.

Highly recommended

Thanks to AOA Decals and IPMS/USA for the review copy. You can obtain yours by contacting them directly at www.aoadecals.com or by visiting your local hobby shop or online retailer. Let them know you read about it here at IPMS/USA.

Cover

Reviewer Bio

Floyd S. Werner Jr.

Building models since the age of 7, I’ve become known for my Bf-109s and helicopters. I currently run Werner’s Wings. I was previously the ‘star’ of the Master Class Model Building Video series. I’ve been published numerous times on various website, including Hyperscale and ARC. My work has been in FSM and Great Scale Modeling 2001, as well as, numerous other model magazines. I’m a published author with my Squadron/Signal Walkaround book on the Kiowa Warrior. My models have continuously won many regional and national awards. My unique model photography gives my models instant recognition for their historical perspective.

I’m a retired from the Army after 21 years of flying Cobras and Kiowa Warriors, including tours in Iraq, Bosnia, Korea, and Germany. I’m also a retired Flight Officer for the Baltimore City Police and flew their helicopters chasing bad guys. I’m currently flying Cobras and Hueys with the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation.

I’ve been married to my high school sweetheart, Yvonne, for 42 years. Our daughters have blessed us with six grandchildren. My passions continue to be his family, friends, helicopters, models and airplanes, especially the Bf-109 and my beloved AH-1 Cobra. My motto has always been - MODELING IS FUN!