Reviewed by Rodger Kelly

Aeromaster Decals' 1/48 scale Shooting Stars Over Korea
will be available online from Squadron.com

48-630 is the second sheet in a new two part release from AeroMaster covering Lockheed F-80 C-10-LO Shooting Stars and heck, what a bright sheet it is! 

Markings are provided for four machines. 

First is 49-547 "EAGLE EYE FLEAGLE"/"MISS BARBARA ANN" of the 36TH Fighter/Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter/Bomber Group out of Suwon South Korea in 1952.  If you think the name "MISS BARBARA ANN" is familiar then you will probably remember it from the original issue Monogram kit.  The notes on the placement sheet advise that there is a chance that "EAGLE EYE FLEAGLE" could have been worn by another aircraft (47-547) but it is highly likely that it was on 49-547 so both "MISS BARBARA ANN" and "EAGLE EYE FLEAGLE" markings are provided – you decide! 

The aircraft is in overall natural metal finish with red trim on the lower part of the nose and the engine intakes.  Provided markings include:

• A red sunburst edged in black for the tail.

• A red shark mouth for the nose.  The shark mouth extends back into the intake but only the forward part is provided in decal form so you will have to paint the intakes red yourself.

• FT-547 buzz number in black edged with red.

• "EAGLE EYE FLEAGLE"/"MISS BARBARA ANN" scripts and nose art.

• U.S. AIR FORCE titles for the tail.

Next is 49-774 "STRIP 'N STARE" of the 25th Fighter Interceptor Squadron 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing also out of Suwon, Korea in 1951. 

The aircraft is in overall natural metal finish with red trim on the nose and the fin and rudder.  Provided markings include:

• The red trim for the fuselage and tail.

• Black FT-774 buzz number.

• U.S. AIR FORCE titles for the tail.

• Black 9774 serial for the tail.

• Nose art consisting of a reclining naked female (blonde of course!) with "STRIP 'N STARE" script.

• 25th Fighter Interceptor Squadron badges for either side of the fuselage.  These are two part decals with the squadron badge being placed over a white circle.

• DON’T HANG AROUND MUCH ANYMORE scripts for the right hand side drop tank.

The third aircraft is 49-806 "FAT CAT" flown by a LT Johnson of the 36th Fighter Bomber Squadron 8th Fighter Bomber Wing out of Suwon Korea in February 1952. 

"FAT CAT" is in overall natural metal finish with a red sunburst on the fin and rudder.  Provided markings include: 

• U.S. AIR FORCE titles for the tail.

• Nose art consisting of Sylvester the cat with blue "FAT CAT" script.

• Black FT-806 buzz number edged in red.

• A red sunburst without the black edging for the tail

The final aircraft is 49-746 "BROCK BUSTER III" of D "Tiger" Flight 16th Fighter Interceptor Flight 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing from Suwon Korea in 1951. 

The aircraft is in overall natural metal finish with blue trim on the fuselage and tail.  Markings consist of: 

• The blue trim for the fuselage and tail.

• U.S. AIR FORCE titles for the tail.

• Black FT-746 buzz number.

• "BROCK BUSTER III" and D "Tiger" Flight scripts.  Two sets of these are provided but it is not known if they were applied to both sides of the aircraft.  Again, your choice.

• Black 9746 serial for the tail.

There are two separate sheets provided.  The larger one contains the main markings and the second smaller sheet holds a fairly complete set of stencil data and national insignia for one aircraft as well as two sets of USAF titles for the wings. 

Each aircraft is provided with its own individual data block stencil.  There is also an olive drab anti-glare panel provided.  This last item is an absolute boon as it saves a whole lot of messing around with masking tape trying to get it even on both sides.  You can make one aircraft only from the decals provided in this issue. 

The placement sheet provides notes on painting the fibreglass nose-antenna fairing and the tail fin tips as well as providing a list of references. 

The decals have been printed in Mexico.  It doesn't say by what company.  They are sharp and clear with minimal film surrounding each subject.  I have other Aeromaster and Eagle Strike decals that have been printed in Mexico before and didn't have any problems at all.  They are not as easy to use as Microscale products but with a little care you can achieve excellent results. 

The decals and the placement sheet are packed in a clear plastic zip-loc bag. 

The recommended kit is the Monogram one.  Although this is an old kit it still builds into a very nice model.  I haven't seen one on the shelf in a hobby shop for a long time so perhaps Aeromaster know something we don’t and it's due for re-release in the foreseeable future. 

A nice sheet from AeroMaster.  Getting the fuselage trim on "STRIP 'N STARE" and "BROCK BUSTER III" to sit right will be challenging but it is a whole lot easer than painting it on.

Recommended.

Thanks to AeroMaster / Eagle Strike Products for the review sets

On-line sales are available from the AeroMaster Products / Eagle Strike Productions web site.

Review TextCopyright © 2003 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 26 July, 2003
Last updated 14 August, 2003

Back to HyperScale Main Page