Twin-Seat Hunters

AIRfile, 1/72 scale

S u m m a r y :
Catalogue Number:	AIRfile Item No. 72-002 - Twin-Seat Hunters
Scale:	1/72 (also available in 1/48)
Contents & Media	Decals for 27 subjects with colour-printed painting and markings guide.
Price:	Available on-line from Fantasy Printshop for £12.95. Click here for currency conversion.
Review Type:	First Look.
Advantages:	Excellent production quality and attractive subject choices.
Disadvantages:	None apparent.
Conclusions:	This is a superbly produced set of some very attractive and interesting Hunter trainer schemes. Great for whichever twin-seat Hunter kit you have; and if you don’t have one, you should buy an Xtrakit T.7 and a set of these decals as you won’t be disappointed. - Definitely recommended.

Reviewed by Mark Davies

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Squadron.com

The Hunter is a popular modelling subject, although the two-seat version somewhat less so than the single seat fighter. A possibly slightly less attractive appearance aside, this may be to do with the availability of two-seater kits in 1/72 scale.

Two-seat Hunters have been restricted to the rather basic Matchbox/Revell with two-seater option, conversions by Airmodel, Aeroclub, PJ Productions and Air Conversions, and more recently some superb resin multi-media kits by Olimp Pro Resin. However conversions are not for everyone and relatively pricey resin kits can also be off-putting for some.

The game changed in 2011 when Hannant’s house-brand, Xtrakit, released their T.7 kit. Produced by the Czech MPM Group, this was the modern and affordable injected twin-seater kit that 1/72 Hunter fans had been waiting for.

The decals reviewed here will suit almost any twin-seat Hunter kit in The One True Scale, but no doubt most will find their way onto the attractively priced and buildable Xtrakit offering.

AIRfile Decals is a Fantasy Printshop brand, and the decals come supplied in this company’s usual zip-lock plastic bag. The instructions are nicely produced in colour and clearly indicate markings placement. They consist of four double-sided A4 pages. A brief written description of the paint scheme is given for each subject outlining its unit, time period, and colours applied. The decals appear to be printed superbly, with crisp registration and excellent colour density.

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The subjects covered by this sheet amount to no less than 27 RAF subjects; all Hunter T.7’s. There is a pleasing selection of camouflaged, high-speed silver and raspberry ripple machines to choose from. Being trainers, many are quite brightly adorned, but there are a few more sombre machines within the camouflaged options. 

The same subjects are also available in 1/48 as FPAF 48-002, and AIRfile have published a book on the Hawker Hunter featuring numerous colour photographs.

This is a superbly produced set of some very attractive and interesting Hunter trainer schemes. Great for whichever twin-seat Hunter kit you have; and if you don’t have one, you should buy an Xtrakit T.7 and a set of these decals as you won’t be disappointed. - Definitely recommended.

Thanks to the Fantasy Printshop for this sample.

Text and Images Copyright © 2013 by Mark Davies
Page Created 17 October, 2014
Last updated 17 October, 2014

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