Reviewed by Paul Gillan
 

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Custom Aeronautical Miniatures 48-043 consists of a 5 ˝” by 7 5/8” full colour decal sheet. This decal set focuses on two grey over white Skyhawks from VMA-311 and VA-192.

Again, the artwork was done by Kamikaze Studio Concepts and the decals printed by Microscale. As with the other CAM/Microscale decals, the sheet is crisply printed and in register with the smaller fonts being quite legible. The recommended kits are the Hobbycraft or ESCI A-4M and the Hobbycraft or Monogram A-4E/F.

Bu No 158193, “07”, is an A-4M from VMA-311 “Tomcats” based at MCAD El Toro in 1977.

This sheet provides the unit emblem, a cat reclining on a bomb on a red heart inside a red trimmed yellow circle. Try saying that quickly twice. Red rudder trim is provided though the instructions recommend painting. I like to see that sort of honesty on a sheet. The manufacturers aren’t saying their decals are hard to use, just that gumbies like me will screw up the application. This jet also features a large alley cat leaning against the rudder. Try as I might I can’t find the picture of this jet on the net again. It is out there somewhere. It is a very striking scheme though.

Bu No 151054, “207”, is an A-4E from VA-192 “Golden Dragons” that was serving on the USS Ticonderoga in 1967.

This aircraft has a fairly simple scheme of a black trimmed yellow chevron that follows the contour of the intake warning and a yellow tip for the tail. If you want to do a standard squadron scheme, not the CAG aircraft provided in the Hasegawa kit, then this is the sheet for you.

As with the other sheets I’ve reviewed from CAM, a range of stencils including intake, hook, blast, arrestor hook stripes and ejection seat warnings are provided for each aircraft. Black walkways are also provided. However, no stars and bars are provided in this sheet. Most modellers will have these in their kits though.

This is a nice sheet and a win for the guys wanting Marine Skyhawks.

Now if Hasegawa would only do an A-4M. And a TA-4J…….

Recommended.

Thanks to Brookhurst Hobbies for the review sample.

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

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 Paul Gillan
This Page Created on 27 November, 2002
Last updated 14 August, 2003

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