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Summary |
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Catalogue Number: |
48-022
- F/A-18D Green Hornets VMFA-121 & VMFAT-101 Boss Birds |
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Scale: |
1/48 |
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Contents and Media: |
Waterslide decals plus instructions and notes |
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Price: |
USD$20.00
available online from Afterburner Decals |
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Review Type: |
FirstLook |
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Advantages: |
Comprehensive sheet; colourful subjects; outstanding
support material; stencil markings a'plenty. |
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Disadvantages: |
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Recommendation: |
Recommended |
Reviewed by Rodger Kelly
HyperScale is proudly supported by Squadron
AD 48-022 is a new sheet from Mike Reeves, Scott Brown, Geoff Martin and Shawn Hull, the guys who make up Afterburner Decals. This sheet is a first too in that it is their initial venture into the world of United States Marine Corps aviation.
The sheet provides markings for two F/A-18Ds in the Tactical Paint Scheme (TPS) finish of Federal Standard 36320 dark ghost grey over Federal Standard 36375 light ghost grey. Fear not though as their bright squadron markings certainly lift the otherwise drab TPS camouflage scheme and provide you with two stunning alternatives.
The individual aircraft are:
F/A-18D Bureau number 165413, VMFA(AW)-121’s Green Knights flagship depicted as she appeared at MCAS Miramar in September 2007 on her return from a deployment to Al Asad airfield in Iraq. The machine was specially marked for the occasion and carries the insignia of the units that make up the 2nd Marine Division on her starboard vertical stabiliser as well as the title 2D MAR DIV in red on the starboard side of her spine. The aircraft’s port side bears VMFA(AW)-121 titles in green whilst her port side vertical stabiliser bears the unit’s “green knights” insignia. Mission markings for the entire unit are applied to both sides of the nose and with the green leading edges to her vertical stabilisers and a full colour stars and stipes flag on her ventral speed brake; she is certainly a striking machine indeed.
The sheet’s other option is F/A-18D Bureau number 164049, VMFAT-101 Sharpshooters flagship at MCAS Miramar in the September of 2007. For the uninitiated, VMFAT-101’s reason for being is to act as a training squadron and train combat capable Hornet pilots and WSOs for both the United States Navy United and the United States Marine Corps. If you think that the distinctive green and white trim looks familiar you are right as it is an adaptation of the same scheme worn by the unit’s A-4 Skyhawks in the ‘70s. Like the previous option, she also bears full colour national insignia and her appearance is also dissimilar from other F/A-18Ds in that she wears both Navy and Marines titles on alternative sides of her rear fuselage.
The decals themselves have been printed by Cartograf, a departure from Afterburner Decals’ normal practice. The sheet is certainly large too (as is everything with this issue!) It measures 250mm x 190mm (9¾” x 7¾”) and is absolutely crammed full. Everything is in perfect register, sharply printed and clear (including the unit shields, stars on the US flag for the first option and the myriad stencil data). Speaking of stencil data, the guys at Afterburner Decals are sticking to their policy of thorough research and it is very much in evidence regarding the stencil data. As an example, two different sets of walkways are provided for the chines as they differ between the each aircraft. Two different sets of national insignia are provided as again, they differ between aircraft, different warning placards (ejection seat triangles, intakes, arrestor hook are examples) are included too as they too differ between each machine. The decals have been sized for the Hasegawa kit and sufficient decals are provided to enable you to produce both options.
As with all of Afterburner Decals sheets the support material provided is exemplary. You get three glossy A-4 sized sheets with this one and they carry full colour left and right hand side profiles of each option as well as a four-view sheet showing placement of stencil data (including the ejector seat), and a “load-out” sheet showing what stores are carried on each pylon. As if this is not enough, Afterburner Decals website also has two pages of excellent large, sharp and clear digital shots of both machines
(55 images in all) on their web site commencing at http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a396/AfterburnerDecals/Green%20Hornets/
The decal sheet and support material come packed in a clear plastic zip-loc bag.
This is another excellent release from Afterburner Decals. It provides you with good quality decals and excellent support material to enable you to accurately model two up to date F/A-18Ds of the United States Marine Corps.
Recommended!
Thanks to
Afterburner Decals for the review sample.
Review Copyright © 2008 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 03 January, 2008
Last updated 03 January, 2008
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