Hill Air Force Base
388th / 419th Fighter Wing

Afterburner Decals, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Ken Bowes

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Afterburner Decals has a habit of producing extensive sheets with a large number of subjects and F-16s are very definitely their specialty. This sheet is another example of where they have pushed the envelope providing markings for over 39 F-16s all based at various times at Hill AFB in Utah. Although this appears quite daunting, the reality is that thanks to the relative homogeneity of USAF F-16s this many subjects can be fitted on effectively one approximately A4 size sheet with two small supplements containing generic markings for two aircraft and some tail flashes. As with previous Afterburner epics like the Air National Guard Wing Kings sheets, this release takes advantage of Cartograf’s ability to print large format sheets in perfect register to pack in another great set of subjects.

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I will not attempt to list the full range of subjects Afterburner has depicted but in summary they range from F-16CGs of the 421st Black Widows in 2003 to the 388th FW Wing King jet from 2010, an upgraded F-16CM. All jets are in the now standard two colour camouflage pattern applied to USAF F-16s with significant differences being limited to the colour band at the top of the tailfin, serial numbers and crew names. Whilst only two sets of generic markings are supplied, as Afterburner provides all the remaining markings if one uses kit markings or other generic sheets then potentially all 39 F-16s could conceivably be built from this sheet without any wasted decals.

Afterburner provides detailed instructions and the range of subjects depicted demand no less than 13 A4 pages and including stencil placement diagrams and very useful sheets of diagrams and text describing the various small differences applicable to the F-16CG/DG and CM Models.

Also included are standard stores configuration diagrams for Operation Iraqi Freedom deployments in which these units have seen action. Overall this is a quality set of decals which cover a range of F-16 units which have been involved in the last 10 years of global conflict. This sheet is mandatory for any fan and modeler of USAF F-16s in their various guises and great addition to the Afterburner Range. Having served with the Diamondbacks in 2003, I can see at least one 419th FW jet in my modeling future.

Thanks to Afterburner Decals for the sample

Review Copyright © 2011 by Ken Bowes
This Page Created on 29 August, 2011
Last updated 29 August, 2011

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