EA-18G Growler

6 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force
100th Anniversary 1917-2017

Ronin Decals, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

The Boeing EA-18G Growler is an American carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft, a specialised version of the two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet. The EA-18G replaced the Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowlers in service with the United States Navy.

The EA-18G began production in 2007 and entered operational service with the US Navy in late 2009.

Australia has also purchased twelve EA-18Gs, which entered service with the Royal Australian Air Force in 2017, the only country outside of the USA to be equipped with this advanced electronic warfare aircraft.

Uniquely, Australian Growlers are fitted with the AN/ASQ-228 ATFLIR targeting pod and also have additional air-to-air weapons in the form of the AIM-9X missile.

The EA-18G is operated by No. 6 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberely in Queensland.*

Modellers have a choice of 1/48 scale EA-18G kits - Hasegawa and Italeri.

Italeri has had several bites at the cherry. Their initial Super Hornet release in 2001 depicted the prototype and suffered from numerous inaccuracies. An improved version was released in 2005, but the most recent boxing provided a sprue of new parts and corrections to the main sprues. Considering its low price it is certainly a worthy option now. I recently bought one myself.

Ronin Decals is an Australian comany that specialises in screen printed decals of Australian subjects.

Their newest release is a set for the colourful 6 Squadron RAAF 100th Anniversary markings on one of their new EA-18G Growlers in 1/48 scale.

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The set comprises 2 x A5 screen printed decal sheets, comprehensive decal instructions and reference; 6 Sqn RAAF 100th Anniversary bookmark.

The decals are very high quality. Colours look great, and the decals are opaque and glossy.

The first decal sheet provides the unique markings for the Anniversary Growler, including white and yellow border stripes.

Also supplied is artwork for the intake and exhaust covers. The first decal sheet is rounded off with specific stencils for the EA-18G and markings for the ALQ-99 High Band and Low Band Jammer Pods.

The second decal sheet is a generic F/A-18E/F/G Super Hornet Low Viz Data Set, with grey stencils, slime lights, wing walks, markings for weapons pylons, drop tanks, undercarriage and gear doors, ejection seats, exhausts, chaff and flare ID and more.

Instructions are supplied on five A4 and one A5 sheet with full colour photos, line drawings and text descriptions. The reference really is outstanding.

Ronin Decals Anniversary Growler decals is a high quality package that will deliver colourful variety for your 1/48 scale Italeri or Hasegawa EA-18G Growler kits.

*History adpated from Wikipedia

Ronin Decals are available directly from their website – https://roningraphicsaustralia.com

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2020 by Brett Green
Page Created 4 June, 2020
Last updated 4 June, 2020

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