Black Ponies,
Shamrocks & Jarheads

USN/USMC North-American/Rockwell OV-10A Broncos in the Vietnam War Era

AOA Decals, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by David Couche

This extensive 1/48 sheet covers 4 US Navy and Marine observation/light attack squadrons operating the OV-10A Bronco’s in the Vietnam War. They predominately cover the Navy's unique and relatively short-lived light attack squadron VAL-4 Black Ponies, allowing the option to represent one of many possible VAL-4 Broncos throughout their entire service in Vietnam from 1969-72.

Also included and related to VAL-4's history is VS-41 Shamrocks, an S-2 Tracker squadron that was responsible for the stateside training of VAL-4 crews and personnel throughout the war. And last, but not least, also covered are USMC Broncos from VMO-2 and VMO-6, both of which also used the Bronco heavily in various combat roles in Vietnam.

The set comes in a thick zip locked bag, which protects the decals from damage. Full airframe data for one aircraft, including complete panel numbers/labels, is also included with this release. 

The coloured decal sheets are printed by industry leader, Cartograf of Italy, which ensures top printing quality and ease of application. The instructions on 7, double sided glossy heavy paper sheets are printed in colour with helpful annotated notes where needed.

Of those 14 pages, 3 are dedicated to the application of data stencils and 2 pages to in depth load outs and other notes on the aircraft.

The main sheet covers the units marking decals and the smaller sheet has the data stencils in a variety of colours, as well as the national insignia, wing walks and weapons markings. These are printed in perfect register with great definition and strong colour by Cartograf. We know they will go on perfectly and settle down exquisitely.

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Thumbnail panels:

The aircraft in this set are:

US Navy - VAL-4 Black Ponies

• OV-10A, 155495/UM-1, VAL-4 Black Ponies, Vung Tau & Binh Thuy AB, 1969 (Option 1) – Lost 7 June, 1970 – Field green/Gull grey

• OV-10A, 155495/UM-101, VAL-4 Black Ponies, Vung Tau & Binh Thuy AB, 1969 (Option 2) – Lost 7 June, 1970 – Field green/Gull grey

• OV-10A, 155475/UM 101, “The Baron's Mistress”, VAL-4 Black Ponies, Binh Thuy AB.1971/72 – All over gull grey

• OV-10A, 155463/UM-4, VAL-4 Black Ponies, Vung Tau & Binh Thuy AB, 1969

• OV-10A, 155463/UM-104, “ Pegasus”, VAL-4 Black Ponies, Vung Tau & Binh Thuy AB, 1971 – Field green/Gull grey

• OV-10A, 155417/UM-105, “Gaboon Viper”, VAL-4 Black Ponies, Binh Thuy AB, 1971 - All over gull grey

• OV-10A, 155474/UM-102, “Widow Maker”, VAL-4 Black Ponies, Binh Thuy AB, 1972 - All over gull grey

• OV-10A, 155496/UM-103, VAL-4 Black Ponies, Vung Tau & Binh Thuy AB, 1969 - Field green/Gull grey

• OV-10A, 155496/UM-103, VAL-4 Black Ponies, Vung Tau & Binh Thuy AB, 1970/71, - Field green/Gull grey – horizontal stabilizer painted grey

• OV-10A, 155471/UM-106, “The Ugly Duckling”, VAL-4 Black Ponies, Binh Thuy AB, 1971 - All over gull grey

• OV-10A, 155471/UM-106, “The Ugly Duckling”, VAL-4 Black Ponies, Binh Thuy AB, 1971/72 - All over gull grey – red spinners

• OV-10A, 155458/UM-110, “Charlies Nemesis”, VAL-4 Black Ponies, Binh Thuy AB, 1971 - All over gull grey

• OV-10A, 155405/UM-111, “White Lightning”, VAL-4 Black Ponies, Binh Thuy AB, 1971 - All over gull grey

• OV-10A, 155494/UM-114, VAL-4 Black Ponies, Vung Tau & Binh Thuy AB, 1969 - Field green/Gull grey

• OV-10A, 155494/UM-114, VAL-4 Black Ponies, Vung Tau & Binh Thuy AB, 1970/71 - Field green/Gull grey

• OV-10A, 155494/UM-114, “Angel of Death”, VAL-4 Black Ponies, Binh Thuy AB, late 1971 - All over gull grey

• OV-10A, 155503/UM-15, VAL-4 Black Ponies, Vung Tau AB, 1969 - lost Dec ’69 - Field green/Gull grey

US Navy - VS-41 Shamrocks

• OV-10A, 155470/RA-8, VS-41 Shamrocks, NAS North Island, CA, 1969 - Field green/Gull grey

• OV-10A, 155470/RA-8, VS-41 Shamrocks, NAS North Island, CA, 1971 – Gloss black/Gull grey

• OV-10A, 155473/RA-09, VS-41 Shamrocks, NAS North Island, CA, 1971 – Gloss black/Gull grey

US Navy - VMO-2 Cherry Deuce

• OV-10A, 155427/33, VMO-2 Cherry Deuce, Marble Mountain Air Facility SVN, 1969 - Field green/Gull grey

• OV-10A, 155453/15, VMO-2 Cherry Deuce, Da Nang AB SVN, 1970 - Field green/Gull grey

US Navy - VMO-4

• OV-10A, 155456/57, VMO-4, Quang Tri Combat Base SVN, 1969 - Field green/Gull grey

US Navy - VMO-6 Tomcats

• OV-10A, 155405/WB-5, VMO-6 Tomcats, MCAS Futenma JP, 1971 - Field green/Gull grey   

This is a very nice large ( and I mean large) set of decals from AOA Decals covering 24 different airframes and times in the Vietnam War.

If you can’t find an OV-10A scheme from this huge offering I’m not sure as to what you’re looking for. And if these don’t interest you for your ICM Bronco model then you should look forward to AOA’s further release of Vietnam era Bronco’s review from this reviewer very shortly. With only one ICM Bronco OV-10A in the stash, I may need another….or more to make good use of this and the other set.

These AOA decals are highly recommended..

Thanks to AOA Decals for the review sample

AOA Decals are available online via their website

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2025 by David Couche
Page Created 12 February, 2025
Last Updated 12 February, 2025

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