MAW Hornets Part III

MAW-Decals, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Rodger Kelly

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Another new sheet from Creighton Henthorn Jr’s company MAW-Decals.

More F/A-18 Hornets on this sheet too, 48-MAW-14 MAW Hornets Part III, brings you markings for four United States Marine Corps F/A-18 two-seat D models. 

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Thumbnail panels:

Details of the individual options are as follows:

• F/A-18D, Bureau Number 164685 of VMFA(AW)-121, ‘Green Knights’.  The markings depict the machine from October 2004.  The aircraft is in standard
  F/A-18 Tactical Paint Scheme (TPS) of FS36320 dark ghost grey upper surfaces over FS36375 light ghost grey undersides.  Being the aircraft assigned to the Commanding Officer, it wears colour in the form of black vertical stabilisers, full colour national insignia and unit insignia/titles.

• F/A-18D, Bureau Number 164694 of VMFA(AW)-224, ‘Fighting Bengals’ as it appeared in April of 2007.  In standard TPS finish but with full colour unit markings and national insignia befitting its role as the Commanding Officer’s aircraft.  She also wears black vertical stabilisers (outer surfaces only) with orange and black ‘tiger’ rudders.  This latter marking is supplied as black only so you will have to paint the rudders orange yourself.

• F/A-18D, Bureau Number 164874 modex 05 of VMFA(AW)-533, ‘Hawks’ from July of 2003.  A “line bird” this time, she wears standard TPS with lo-viz but albeit comprehensive unit markings.

• F/A-18D, Bureau Number 164876, another ‘Hawks’ bird but this time wearing modex 06.  Again, in standard TPS with lo-viz markings.

The decals themselves have been printed by Cartograf.  They are silk screen printed, thin and in perfect register.  One complete set of full colour national insignia markings and one set of lo- viz national insignia is provided as well as a single but pretty comprehensive set of stencil data as well.  You also get two sets of decals to simulate the ‘grill’ or ‘meshwork’ on the undersides.  Two sets of chaff/flare bucket decals in yellow silver and blue to simulate loaded buckets are provided amongst the stencil data.

The placement guide/information sheets are A-4 in size and shows full colour left and right hand side profiles of each option as well as a generic upper and lower surface plan views.  You also get a full page ‘load out’ diagram to show you what ordnance was carried on what pylon.  The sheet contains thumbnail size colour images of the undercarriage legs to show the placement of the data plate decals too.

If you are looking for further reference or just inspiration, visit MAW-Decals home page at http://www.mawdecals.com/ and click on the ‘reference’ button on the left hand side of the page.  It will take you to some really great reference colour walk-around images of the machines on this sheet as well as others.

The decal sheets (two are provided), a normal sized one and a smaller one that carries three sets of slime lights, and the placement guide/information sheets come packed in a clear plastic zip-loc bag.

This sheet is a continuation of the theme of contemporary markings for USMAC F/A-18s and it is well and truly up to the high standard set by MAW-Decals.  It provides you with excellent quality deals and reference for four machines.

Footnote

Apparently, there is an error with the main landing gear placards and this is currently being resolved with Cartograf.  An insert is to be provided in the near future (keep an eye on the MAW-Decal website for availability). 

Text and Images Copyright © 2009 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 9 January, 2009
Last updated 9 January, 2009

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