527th Aggressors RAF Bentwaters

Afterburner Decals, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Ken Bowes

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The 527th Aggressor Squadron was critical element of combat readiness training for USAFE flying F-5E Tigers from RAF Alconbury for many years, until beginning the transition to F-16s in mid-1988. Coincident with this switch, the 527th commenced re-equipping with early F-16Cs. However before fully equipping or receiving specialist Aggressor camouflage on their aircraft, the 527th stood down as part of the general force reductions that occurred at the end of the cold war.  

In this release from Afterburner Decals the modeler is able to create any one of six 527th F-16Cs including:

• AF85-1479  Bort 01 August 1988 – first CO.

• AF85-1479 Bort 01 June 1989 – with new CO’s name.

• AF86-0229 Bort 04 1988.

• AF86-0249 Bort 05 1988.

• AF86-0216 Bort 12 1988

• AF86-0231 Bort 13 1988

• AF86-0237 Bort 16 1988

All subjects are in the original standard production three colour camouflage scheme with the addition of a large red bort number below the canopy and red stripe across the fin.

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In addition to the specific airframe markings including crew names, Afterburner provides stenciling for two complete airframes. As is to be expected from this manufacturer detailed instructions printed on six A4 pages are included with a  stencil placement diagram and very useful sheet of diagrams and text describing the various small differences applicable to this batch of F-16s, being F-16C Block 30 aircraft with the NSI intake.

This is a quality set of decals which covers a small and almost forgotten part of both the F-16 and USAF Aggressor program history.

Thanks to Afterburner Decals for the sample

Review Copyright © 2010 by Ken Bowes
This Page Created on 26 May, 2010
Last updated 26 May, 2010

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