Reviewed by Rodger Kelly
 

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Squadron

This sheet is another of Cam Decals new releases in 1/32 scale. This time the aircraft depicted is the VFA-115’s Commanding Officer’s mount, Bureau No 163440.

I, for one, am happy with Cam Decals choice of subject. This aircraft is marked mid-way between the total low-viz markings of her squadron mates and the full-on, black-tailed markings of the Eagle’s CAG Bird.

The sheet is produced by Microscale, enough said, you know that the quality is first class. The sheet is a combination of some extremely good artwork and production. The yellow bordered squadron titles and nose modex are sharp, clear and in perfect register. Interestingly though, whilst the latter is printed as a single decal, the stars and bars are provide in two pieces.

The sheet provides only the barest minimum of stencil data but it does include the walk-ways, a definite bonus.

An A-4 sized instruction sheet shows the location of each decal as well as providing notes on the colour scheme and of the relevant FS numbers of the paint used. The sheet is packaged in Cam Decals’ standard way – in a plastic Zip-loc bag with a full colour stiff cardboard header, a good and efficient way of both allowing the modeller to view the contents and of protecting the decals.

The USS Abraham Lincoln visits us here in Perth, Western Australia now and then and I have always been impressed by the standard of maintenance and appearance of CVW-14s aircraft. 201 is no exception. Whilst her paint was faded and mottled by constant touch-ups to keep corrosion at bay, she was a clean aircraft. I have included a couple of shots of her tail to illustrate this point.

The instruction sheet recommends the 1/32 scale Hasegawa kit but I would hedge my bets on this and wait to see what the forthcoming Minicraft offering is like.

Whilst the lack of stencil data is disappointing (as you will certainly be able see it on a 1/32 scale kit) it does not detract from what is certainly an excellent sheet from Cam Decals that enables fans of US naval aviation to add an up-to-date Bug to their collection.

Recommended.

Thanks to CAM Decals for the review sample.

CAM Decals are available online from their website at http://www.camdecals.com

CAM Decals 59 page 2002 color catalog of decals and resin parts is also
now available through the CAM Decals website

Review Copyright © 2002 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 25 September, 2002
Last updated 22 July, 2003

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