Westland Lynx, UH/SH-14A/B/C//D MLD/Royal Neth. Naval AS “Soesterberg Eagles” F-86F Sabre, F-100 Super Sabre, F-102A, F-4E Phantom USAFE

Dutch Decal, 1/72 scale

S u m m a r y :
Catalogue Number:	Dutch Decals Item No. 72074 - Westland Lynx, UH/SH-14A/B/C//D MLD/Royal Neth. Naval AS “Soesterberg Eagles” F-86F Sabre, F-100 Super Sabre, F-102A, F-4E Phantom USAFE
Scale:	1/72
Contents & Media	Decals for fifteen Dutch Navy Westland Lynx options, and four USAFE types; includes colour-printed painting & markings guide.
Price:	Available on-line from Hannants for ?9.99 plus postage; direct from Dutch Decal, although not currently listed; for other stockists please click here. Click here for currency conversion.
Review Type:	First Look.
Advantages:	Excellent production quality.
Disadvantages:	None apparent.
Conclusions:	TThis is a superbly produced set of decals. The Dutch link is clear, but the relationship of one half of the sheet’s contents to the other is not. I think buyers with either a Dutch Navy or USAF bent may pause before buying because half the sheet is unlikely to interest them. However, I suspect that only one or two schemes are used from most after-market decal sheets, so it matters little. This said, all of the subjects covered are visually appealing in my opinion, which combined with the package’s obvious quality, means they are highly recommended.

Reviewed by Mark Davies

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Unsurprisingly, given the brand name, this sheet focuses on no less than fifteen Westland Lynx variants of the Koninklijke Marine (Royal Netherlands Naval Air Service), and covers some very eye-catching schemes. Still with a Dutch link, although unrelated seemingly to the Lynx focus, is the “Soesterberg Eagles” component. This includes four USAFE subjects that were based from the mid-1950’s through to the late 1970’s at Soesterberg Air Base in the Netherlands.

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Despite the Dutch Lynxes accounting for most of the subjects covered, the USAFE options still fill about 45% of the sheet’s area. I cannot but help think that combining these two unrelated subjects is not the smartest marketing move, since around the half the sheet will probably have little appeal to buyers attracted by subjects on the other half. This is an observation on my part only, and is not a criticism.
The decals are supplied in a re-sealable plastic bag with instructions that are very nicely produced in colour on both sides of a folded A-3 sized glossy sheet. They clearly indicate markings placement, and include a recommended kit for the version of aircraft depicted. Aside from the F-4E option, the other three USAFE subjects will depend on using kit’s national insignia decals; which seems fair enough. I did notice that the F-4E’s stars & bars lack a dark-blue outline around the bars, but this appears to be deliberate based on the markings guide; so I shall not say it is wrong as I do not know for sure.

A brief note regarding the aircraft and its station location is given for each subject. The need for additional reference information is mentioned in respect of the Lynx options because of the variety of aerials and equipment applicable to each. Colours are described using their common British military names for the Lynx, and FS numbers for the USAFE subjects. For some reason Xtracolor and what I think are Humbrol paint codes are used as well in the sole case of the F-4E.

The decals look to be superbly printed and with excellent colour density.

The subjects covered by this package are as follows:

• Westland Lynx, MLD/Royal Netherlands Naval Air Service:

  - SH-14D 2(61)
  - Mk 25/UH-14A 261
  - Mk 27/SH-148 270
  - SH-14B 267
  - SH-14D 2(67)
  - SH-14D 2(65)
  - SH-14B 269
  - SH-14D 2(68)
  - SH-14D 2(77)
  - SH-14D 2(70)
  - SH-14D 2(66)
  - SH-14D 2(64)
  - SH-14D 2(68)
  - SH-14D 2(80)
  - SH-14GTI 2(79)

• “Soesterberg Eagles”, USAFE:

  - F-86F, FU-418
  - F-102A, FC-032
  - F-100C, FW-41871
  - F-4E Phantom II, CR-443

This is a superbly produced set of decals. The Dutch link is clear, but the relationship of one half of the sheet’s contents to the other is not. I think buyers with either a Dutch Navy or USAF bent may pause before buying because half the sheet is unlikely to interest them. However, I suspect that only one or two schemes are used from most after-market decal sheets, so it matters little. This said, all of the subjects covered are visually appealing in my opinion, which combined with the package’s obvious quality, means they are highly recommended.

Thanks to Dutch Decal for this sample.

Text and Images Copyright © 2014 by Mark Davies
Page Created 28 November, 2014
Last updated 28 November, 2014

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