USMC Intruders Pt.1

VMA(AW)-224 Bengals

Impact Decals, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Rodger Kelly

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Impact Hobby Decals, based in Camby, Indiana in the United States, and newcomers to the world of aftermarket decals. 

The philosophy of company’s owners, Kevin Taylor and Dan Yeiter, is to issue sheets that are based on units and/or squadrons rather than by aircraft type.  Their website http://www.impacthobbydecals.com/index.html tells us that the concept came about several years ago when Kevin decided to build all the aircraft that his former squadron (VMA-542) flew since they were established back in WWII.  Finding the kits in his preferred scale was hard enough but finding decals for his squadron for eight different aircraft was impossible. This led to the creation of Impact Hobby Decals. 

48-001 USMC Intruders Part 1 – VMA (AW)-224 Bengals is Impact Hobby Decals’ inaugural sheet.  In keeping with their philosophy, the sheet provides markings for A-6 Intruders flown by VMA (AW)-224 only. 

Markings are provided for three A-6s from the one squadron, spanning the period 1971 to 1992. 

The individual options are: 

• Grumman A-6A Bureau number 155661 finished in Gull Grey over Insignia White camouflage finish.  The markings depict the aircraft when it flew from the USS Coral Sea on Yankee Station off the coast of North Vietnam in 1971.

• Grumman A-6E Bureau number 155616 in Gull Grey over Insignia White camouflage based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina in 1976.

• Grumman A-6E (TRAM) Bureau number 149953 in Tactical Paint Scheme of Federal Standard 36320 Dark Ghost Grey and Federal Standard 36375 Light Ghost Grey.  This option is depicted when it was based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point following Operation Desert Storm in 1992. 

There are three sheets in this issue from Impact Hobby Decals.  The larger, normal sized one carries the vast majority of the decals whilst the second smaller one carries a set of hi-viz national insignia and limited stencil data – again, in hi-viz.  The final sheet is a small one that carries a pair of 506 modex for the final option that look as if they were missed being put on the main sheet. 

There is no indication as to who has printed the decals themselves but they are very, very nice indeed.  They are thin, silk screen printed and everything is in perfect register. 

Support information/placement guide comes via an A-4 sized sheet that shows full colour left hand side profiles of each option in the centre page, generic upper surface plan views on the back page as well as fairly comprehensive painting instructions that quote the Federal Standard paint colours you will need for the green and blue of the first two options. 

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:\

A list of references round out the sheet. 

The support information/placement guide and decal sheets come packed in the industry standard clear plastic zip-loc bag. 

In summary, this is a great product and an impressive entry into the aftermarket decal world by Impact Hobby Decals.  Hopefully they will sell well enough to encourage Kevin and Dan to add to their range! 

Recommended.

Thanks to Impact Hobby Decals for the review sample.

Review Copyright © 2007 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 15 August, 2007
Last updated 24 December, 2007

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