IRENE! TF 160th in Somalia

Werner's Wings,1/35 scale

Reviewed by David Couche

Xtradecal's 1/48 P-51 Mustang Collection will be available online from Squadron.com

Werner’s Wings decal sets are never ones to scrimp on the content. Floyd and Co have continued with this totally comprehensive set of markings. Thirty aircraft are included on these sheets which covers every Task Force 160th aircraft that was deployed to Somalia as part of OPERATION GOTHIC SERPENT, including the replacement aircraft and maintenance spares.

Also included, is a full set of stencils for one MH-60L and one AH/MH-6, including rocket pod stencils for the AH-6Js. The sheet is as accurate as Werner’s Wings can make it based off of new information that came to light recently. They have incorporated that information into the sheet along with input from unit members that were there.

This sheet would not have been possible without the hard work of Gino Quintiliani, who did the first in-depth study of the mission. Also thanks to Tim Hudson, who was instrumental in getting the MH-60s done properly. As always Mason Doupnik, along with his padawan, Ramon Lomeli, did the marvellous artwork on the decals and the instruction sheet.

These decals have been printed by Microscale and will go onto you models well. Careful checking of the sheet shows no flaws and perfect register. The colours are bold, and all decals are crisp and clear.

Werner’s Wings have stated that these decals are designed to be used with the Kitty Hawk AH-6J/ MH-6J and new MH-60L but they could easily be used on the old Academy kits.

The instruction sheets consist of 3 A4 double sided glossy sheets printed in colour. As usual, a good deal of notes are supplied explaining the actual Operation Gothic Serpent, deployment, crewing and armament for many of the aircraft. They have noted that schemes 1-25 were in that operation but 26-30 were not but “were too cool” not to put on the sheet.

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Thumbnail panels:

The 30 schemes are;

1. MH-60L, 91-26324, Super 61, ‘Thunderstruck’

2. MH-60L, 89-26186, Super 62, ‘Rude Dude’

3. MH-60A, 83-23882, Super 62, ‘Black Widow’

4. MH-60L, 90-26257, Super 63, ‘Grim Reaper’

5. MH-60L, 89-26188, Super 64, ‘Venom’

6. MH-60A, 83-23887, Super 65, ‘Heavy Metal’

7. MH-60L, 91-26363, Super 66, ‘Gun-Slinger’

8. MH-60A, 85-24395, Super 66, ‘Predator’

9.  MH-60A, 83-23924, Super 67, ‘Texas Express’

10.  MH-60A, 83-23924, Super 67, Ace of Spades

11.  MH-60L, 90-26288, Super 68, ‘Razors Edge’

12.  MH-60L, 91-26360, ‘Thrasher’

13.  MH-60L, 90-26285

14.  MH-60L, 90-26293

15. AH-6J, 88-25357, Barber 51

16. AH-6J, 90-25362, Barber 52

17. AH-6J, 84-24679, Barber 53

18. AH-6J, 84-24680, Barber 54

19. AH-6J, 81-23648, Star 41

20. AH-6J, 81-23652, Star 42

21. AH-6J, 81-23653, Star 43

22. AH-6J, 81-23635, Star 44

23. AH-6J, 85-25348, spare

24. AH-6J, 84-24683, spare

25. A/MH-6J, 90-25359, multi role spare

26. MH-60L, 92-26410, ‘Little Gun’

27. MH-60L, 92-26412, ‘Banshee’

28. MH-60L, 92-26413, ‘Dirty Dawg’

29. MH-60L, 92-26414, ‘Bad Boyz’

30. MH-60L, 92-26416, ‘Da Heathen’

This set enable us to model any of TF 160th’s choppers from the Somalia Operation. The hard part is actually working out which scheme to choose for either of the 2 types. A most comprehensive decal set which I would highly recommend to builders of US Army helicopters, especially the Blackhawks and AH/MH-6’s.

Thanks to Werner's Wings for the sample.

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2019 by David Couche
This Page Created on 31 October, 2019
Last updated 31 October, 2019

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