Snakes on a Plane
F/A-18C VFA-86 Sidewinders 2004-2007

Afterburner Decals, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Rodger Kelly

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AD 48-042 is amongst the latest flurry of releases from Afterburner Decals.   It provides markings to enable you to model five F/A-18Cs from the United States Navy’s Atlantic Fleet VFA-86, Sidewinders as they appeared between 2004 and 2007.

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Thumbnail panels:

The individual aircraft on the sheet are:

• Bureau number 165200, the Sidewinders CAG bird from 2006 (Captain G.M. Nosal).   The machine is in the standard tactical paint scheme (TPS) worn by A and C model Hornets comprising Federal Standard 36320 dark ghost grey over Federal Standard 36375 light ghost grey.  Being a CAG bird though she has colour in her markings in the form of black leading edges to her vertical stabilisers with the Sidewinders orange diamonds.  Orange is also used for the diamond shaped patch on her spine and the (400) modex on the top of her vertical stabilisers, and her unit insignia.  Orange ‘shadowing’ is used on her nose modex, NAVY titles, unit designator, airwing designator, bureau number, ship’s titles - USS Enterprise - and for some of the items in her stencil data.

• Bureau number 165200, the CAG bird (and the same machine) from 2007 when command changed to Captain Mark Wralstad.  Markings are essentially the same as the previous option with the changes being confined to the removal of the diamond from her spine and the names on the canopy rails to reflect the change of command.

• Bureau number 165201 from 2007.  Wearing the modex 401 which identifies her as the Commanding Officer’s aircraft she is in the standard TPS with all of her markings in lo-viz which is surprising as the CO’s bird normally wears some colour in her markings, not as much as the CAG bird but some colour at least.

• Bureau number 165197, a ‘line bird’ from 2007.  In essentially the same markings as the previous option with exception of her modex (412) and crew names on her canopy rails and gear doors.  She also carries a mission log on her nose.

• Bureau number 163459, another ‘line bird’ modex 415 from 2004.  The machine is unique from her squadron sisters in that she wears a disruptive camouflage scheme of FS36375 light ghost grey, FS36320 dark ghost grey and FS35237 medium grey in place of the standard TPS.  Her squadron markings also differ in that the airwing identifiers are on the inner faces of her vertical stabilisers.

As usual with anything from Afterburner Decals, the supporting information for this sheet is truly excellent!  There are two A-4 sized sheets printed in full colour and they show left hand side profiles of each aircraft and generic upper and lower surface plan views for the first four options on the front and a comprehensive ‘load out’ chart on the back whilst the other sheet shows left and right hand side profiles and both upper and lower surface plan views of the final option to show the camouflage pattern on the front and a stencil data placement guide – nice and big too! – on the back.

As for the decals, you get three sheets in all.  The main one measures 21cm x 13cm and carries the vast majority of markings.  They are really crammed in too so care will be needed in separating each design from the sheet. The second sheet carries two sets of chine walkways and two sets of Sidewinders scripts for the external fuel tanks.  The final sheet carries a set of lo-viz unit markings and assorted stencil data.   Speaking of stencil data, you get two comprehensive sets including slime lights.  Given that there are two sets of national insignia on the sheet (one in black for the CAG birds and one in lo-viz grey) as well as two sets of stencil data, you can produce either of the CAG birds and either of the three ‘line birds’ from the sheet – two aircraft all up.

The decals themselves have been printed by Cartograph.  They are thin, have an absolute minimum of carrier film and everything is sharp, clear and in perfect register  

The decal sheets and the supporting information sheets/placement guides come packed in a clear plastic zip-loc bag.

The decals have been designed for the Hasegawa kit.

All up, this is a great decal sheet.  It provides top quality decals with well researched and presented support material that will enable you to produce a great looking Atlantic Fleet Hornet.

Thanks to Afterburner Decals for the sample

Review Copyright © 2008 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 8 September, 2008
Last updated 15 January, 2009

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