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Singapore Scooters

 

Horizon ModelTech


 

S u m m a r y
Catalogue Number: HMD-48001 Singapore Scooters
Scale: 1/48
Contents and Media: One full sized decal sheet plus three supplementary sheets with white background decals; one single-sided A-4 full colour instruction sheet; one double-sided A-4 stencil instructions and details
Price: USD$14.00 from Two Bobs Decals
Review Type: FirstLook
Advantages: Good selection of subjects including the unusual "piggyback" TA-4SU trainer; detailed documentation, artwork and descriptions on instructions; translucent white decal markings on main sheet are supplemented with more opaque replacements; decals thinly printed and in register.
Disadvantages: White stencil markings on main sheet look very translucent.
Recommendation: Recommended

 

Reviewed by Brett Green


HyperScale is proudly supported by Squadron.com

 

FirstLook

 

Horizon ModelTech is a new company that will focus on Singaporean and South East Asian Air Forces.

Their premiere release is "Singapore Scooters" in 1/48 scale. This sheet offers the choice of building any of ten Singaporean Skyhawks. Five of the aircraft (including one of these subjects depicted at two points in history) are finished in South East Asian tan and two-tone green upper surface camouflage; while the remaining four subjects represent any of the four "Black Knight 2" demonstration team.

The decal subjects are as follows:

  • A4S-1 977 of 142 Sqn, mid 1980s

  • A4S-1 929 of 143 Sqn, 1989

  • A-4SU 941 of 145 Sqn, 1998 (can be built as A-4SU of 150 Sqn, France, 2000)

  • TA-4SU 905 of 150 Sqn, 2000

  • A-4SU 971 145Sqn, Tengah AB, 2000

  • A-4SUs of RSAF Black Knights Demonstration Team, 2000 (Markings for all 4 aircraft provided)
     

 

 

The markings are supplied on a full-sized decal sheet. Printing is crisp and attractive. Unfortunately, the white markings on the main sheet are almost transparent, so to their credit Horizon ModelTech has included three smaller sheets with most of the white markings reprinted in a strong opaque finish.

The instructions are really very good, with a full colour painting guide including four helpful reference photos, plus a double-sided stencil guide with descriptions of Singaporean Skyhawks in general and the decal subjects in particular.

Singapore's Skyhawks were based on the A-4B and C variants but were uniquely configured. These Scooters also underwent a refit programme from 1986 onward. Hasegawa's 1/48 A-4C Skyhawk will be the basis for an accurate A4S-1 Skyhawk or an A-4SU Super Skyhawk, but the modelling project will be made simpler with the release of Horizon ModelTech's 1/48 scale Singapore Skyhawk resin conversion set in September, 2002. The set will include an ADF hump, nose RWR, Auxiliary Air Scoop, Chaff/Flare Dispensers, Front Instrument panel for A-4SU, extended in-flight refuelling probe extension (metal), cannon blast deflectors and HUD frame.

This is a terrific premiere package from Horizon ModelTech that should appeal to any Scooter fans or modellers who like to build South East Asian Air Force subjects.

Recommended.

Text Copyright © 2002 by Brett Green
Page Created 14 August, 2002
Last updated 22 July, 2003

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