Hawker Hunter F.4

Xtradecal,1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Squadron.com

Airfix is due to release their 1/48 scale Hawker Hunter F.4 very soon.

Perfectly timed, Xtradecal has released a brand new decal sheet covering a generous 12 Hunter F.4 subjects.

There are 11 RAF and one Chilean Air Force examples.

All 14 aircraft are finished in the standard scheme of Dark Sea Grey and Dark Green over painted High Speed Silver lower surfaces.

Details are as follows:

• WV255, ‘X’ flown by Flight Officer Nigel Walpole of 26 Squadron, Royal Air Force, based at RAF Oldenburg, West Germany, 1956.

• XF313, ‘G’ of 76 Squadron, Royal Air Force, based at RAF Bruggen, West Germany, December, 1956.

• WV269, ‘H’ of 74 Squadron, Royal Air Force, based at RAF Horsham St Faith during ‘Exercise Valiant’, May 1957.

• WV314, ‘B’ of 92 Squadron, Royal Air Force, based at RAF Linton�"on-Ouse, 1956.

• XE667, ‘Z’ of IV (AC) Squadron, Royal Air Force, based at RAF Geilenkirchen, West Germany, 3 April 1956.

• WW663, ‘H’ flown by the C.O of 14 Squadron, Royal Air Force, based at RAF Alhorn, West Germany, 18 March 1957.

• WV973, ‘B’ of 20 Squadron, Royal Air Force, based at RAF Oldenburg, West Germany, 1957.

• XF317, ‘U’ flown by Flying Officer Mike McEvoy of ‘B Flight’, 67 Squadron, Royal Air Force, based at RAF Bruggen, West Germany, April 1957.

• WV267, ‘R’ of 93 Squadron, Royal Air Force, based at RAF Jever, West Germany,1957.

• WT802, ‘P’ of 98 Squadron, Royal Air Force, based at RAF Jever, West Germany, 1957.

• XE713, ‘E’ of 66 Squadron, Royal Air Force, based at RAF Acklington, 1959. 

• Hunter FR.71A, J-734, (Previously ex-RAF XF317) of 8 Grupo, Chilean Air Force, based in Chile, 1976. Please note that the decal are different to the markings shonw on the upper and lower surface instruction diagram. The decal sheet is correct however, with low-viz national marking and aircraft number on the top of the wings only. Lower surfaces were light grey on this aircraft. To quote Diego Rogoz:

  "The light grey insignia and code was applied only on the upper surfaces, the under surfaces being light grey and not silver anymore. There was also a small 734 applied on the nose wheel door.

  It is worth noting that Hunter FR.71a #734 was one of the longest serving Hunters, being retired in 1995. This Hunter wore these markings - with the white "734" on the tail and low-viz markings - during 1994-95. During the previous service years, #734 had big black codes "J-734", later changed to "734" and hi-viz insignia applied."

Instructions for the decal sheet are in full colour across two folded double-sided A4 and one double-sided A5 sheets.

Both side views are provided for all 12 aircraft. Two upper and lower plan view are also included.

Colour notes are offered, along with model paint callouts for Xtracolor enamels and Xtracrylix acrylics.

The decals are beautifully printed and feature thin carrier film. The first sheet offers one set of roundels, fin flashes and unique markings.

A second decal sheet provides black serial numbers.

This release will be very welcome for anyone planning to build the soon-to-be-released Airfix 1/48 scale Hunter F.4.

Thanks to Hannants for the review sample

Xtradecals are available online from Hannants' website

Review Text Copyright © 2019 by Brett Green
This Page Created on 28 November, 2019
Last updated 28 November, 2019

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