Reviewed by Brett Green

Yellow Wings' 1/32 scale F3F-3 Decals are available online from Squadron

Yellow Wings' has released a1/32 scale decal sheet with markings for a selection of Grumman F3F-3s aboard Yorktown and Enterprise in 1939 and 1940.

Three specific markings schemes are offered (6-F-15 from Enterprise with True Blue tail surfaces; 5-F-7 from Yorktown with Insignia Red tail and True Blue section markings and 5-F-10 from Yorktown with Insignia Red tail and Black section markings); Other aircraft may be modelled by swapping digits from the supplied code numbers.

It is pleasing that all markings are supplied for the three aircraft, including national markings for the wings and fuselage, red and white rudder stripes, propeller tips and logos, ample stencils plus fuselage and wing bands in Willow Green. Black and White stripe borders are also supplied for the cowl bands. It would be impractical for Yellow Wings to provide decals for the cowl colour due to the compound curves, but model paint colour matches are offered to ease the painting task.

As with all of Yellow Wings Decals products, the six pages of instructions provide extensive  documentation comprising tables, drawings and specifications. Each marking scheme has its own three-view black and white drawing. Artwork is by well-known HyperScale contributor Rich Dann.

Additional information includes a table that lists data about F3F-3s by Bureau number with their assigned units and delivery dates; a table specifying the Squadron colours, bands and chevrons for all aircraft aboard Yorktown by Serial Number and Squadron Assignment and, finally, a list of suggested model paint matches to official United States Navy and United States Marine Corps colours (Testors, Tamiya, and Gunze). Surprisingly, however, there is no list of colours for aircraft aboard Enterprise.

The suggested kit is the Revell 1/32 scale Grumman F3F-3.

The decals, printed by Microscale, are supplied on two sheets, and are in perfect register.

Yellow Wings has delivered an excellent, well-researched and comprehensive package for the last of this stubby little US Navy fighter.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Yellow Wings Decals for the review sample.

Review Copyright © 2007 by Brett Green
This Page Created on 16 February, 2007
Last updated 24 December, 2007

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