F-16C 111FS 90th Anniversary 2008

ROCAF F-16A/B "Shining Stars over Taiwan"

Crossdelta, 1/48 and 1/32 scales

Reviewed by Ken Bowes

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Cross Delta out of Korea have recently produced a number of decal sheets covering unusual or special F-16s from both East Asia and the US as a follow-on to their previous coverage of Korean based USAF F-16s and USN Tomcats. This time they have devoted their energy to the colourful 90th Anniversary aircraft of the 111FS Texas Air National Guard as displayed in 2007/2008 and the unique F-16A/B Block 20 aircraft used by the Republic of China Air Force (Taiwan).

DEC 003 (1/48), DEC 004 (1/32) - F-16C 111FS 90th Anniversary 2008

Sheets DEC 003 and DEC 004 provide all the markings needed for F-16C Block 25 AF84 1393 just before the reequipment of the 111FS with MQ-1 Predator UAVs to become the 111RS. Crossdelta’s treatment of this aircraft in its striking between the wars USAAC blue and yellow scheme and WWII code letters is nothing less than comprehensive. The decal instructions cover two sides of an A3 sheet and are printed in full colour on high quality glossy paper, whist an A4 poster of the subject aircraft rounds out the package.

Cross Delta provides markings for both the original 2007 scheme and the later 2008 aircraft with clear instructions on the differences in the scheme. Whilst sized for the Tamiya F-16C Block 25/32 ANG kit, Cross Delta has also provide alternate markings sized to the Hasegawa kit with its smaller fin, allowing those who have the earlier kit in stock to make use of the sheet. One other nice touch are instructions on how to apply Cross Delta’s own stiffener plate set to the kit for an accurate replica.

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DEC 005 (1/48) - Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) F-16A/B “Shining Stars over Taiwan

The second new F-16 sheet covers F-16A/Bs from ROCAF as seen post mid-life upgrade with large suns on their tailfins. Decals are provided for 5 aircraft as follows:

• F-16A Block 20 6711 27th TFG 401st Tactical Composite Wing, Hualian Airbase Taiwan
• F-16B Block 20 6830 12th TRS 401st TCW
• F-16A Block 20 6692 27th TFG 401ST TCW
• F-16A Block 20 6654 17th TFG 401st TCW
• F-16A Block 20 6671 26th TFG 401st TCW

All subjects have the badge of the 401st TCW on the fin with the A models sporting a gray sun and the B model having a red/orange example on the fin. Individual units are delineated by Squadron/Group insignia on either side of the intake.

Decals provided are for unique markings and very basic stencils (stars and bars, ejection triangles). All other markings need to be sourced from the base kit or other sheets. Options and instructions are provided to fit the Hasegawa kit, including diagrams showing how to trim the sun insignia. One of the highlights of the sheets is the comprehensive instructions. Spread over two sides of an A3 page and printed in glossy colour. My only criticism is that the options are not immediately clearly differentiated and the modeller should carefully study the fine print to determine the right combination of unit insignia for the chosen subject. However the modeler gets camouflage scheme diagrams, a paragraph on the history of the subject, kit recommendations, and ordnance loadout information.

The decal sheets have been printed by Cartograf of Italy and this has resulted in clean crisp printing, minimal carrier film and no register problems. Overall these decals from Cross Delta are very well put together and  leave little for the modeller to do save source a kit and build a striking replica of some of the more colourful and unusual F-16s of recent years.

Text and Images Copyright © 2009 by Ken Bowes
This Page Created on 4 February, 2009
Last updated 4 February, 2009

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