R/F-4E Phantom II
Turkish Air Force

Turquoise Decals, 1/48 & 1/72 scales

Reviewed by Ken Bowes

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Turquoise Decals are a relatively new firm that has specialized in providing markings for aircraft flown by the Turkish Air Force. Previous sheets have included generic national insignia and serial number sheets.

Recently they have turned their attention to the F-4, a type flown in great numbers by the Turkish Air Force. The result is a set of decals covering six RF-4Es and one F-4E as flown by 113 Isik Filo (Light Squadron) and 173 Safak Filo (Dawn Squadron). This sheet is nothing less than an amazing effort considering the subject aircraft are in no less than five camouflage schemes with maintenance stencils variously in English, German and Turkish (what a headache for the technicians!).

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Subjects covered in this set are as follows:

• 3 x RF-4E South East Asia scheme (69-7530 113 Filo 113,000 flying hours, 69-7526 and 69-7457 173 Filo)

• 1 x RF-4E Hill2 scheme (69-7458 113 Filo)

• 1 x RF-4E Luftwaffe Norm 83A scheme (69-7466 113 Filo)

• 1 x RF-4E Luftwaffe Norm 83B scheme (69-7459 113 Filo)

• 1 x F-4E SEA scheme (67-0342 10.000 flying hours 173 Filo)

The sheet provides maintenance markings for one aircraft and individual markings for one aircraft with alternate markings for Norm 83A/B unique stencils and English and Turkish stencils to cover aircraft at different stages of their careers. This is where what is probably the Achilles heel of the set becomes apparent. Instructions are printed on 8 A5 pages mainly in black and white and it takes considerable study to determine which scheme uses which stencils. In fact after much study I am still somewhat confused by it. As a final note of criticism, Turquoise Decals has not provided any details for the five different camouflage schemes in the instructions, exhorting the modeller to source their own. Fortunately they have made this easy by including full colour diagrams on their website. It may have reduced the overll cost of production but was initially quite annoying to me. The decals themselves have been printed by Microscale in the US and cover no less than three large sheets in 1/48 and two in 1/72 scale. Quality of the printing is high, with no obvious registration problems, good colour density and minimal film.

Overall this decal package from Turquoise Decals is a solid start, perhaps let down by the less than clear instructions. That said, it is likely a more experienced modeller with access to references would choose these sets so perhaps this is mitigated. This criticism should not be taken as a reason not to buy these sets as they are very good and an unusual model subject will result so I hope I have merely informed the buyer rather than put them off. If you want a Phantom out of the norm this is certainly a good path to follow.

Thanks to Turquoise Decals for the sample

Text and Images Copyright © 2009 by Ken Bowes
This Page Created on 6 February, 2009
Last updated 6 February, 2009

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