Reviewed by Paul Gillan
 

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Custom Aeronautical Miniatures' A-4 decal set 48-074 consists of an single 5 ˝” by 7 5/8” full colour decal sheet with a black and white features two grey over white Skyhawks from VA55 and VA12. The artwork was done by Kamikaze Studio Concepts and the decals printed by Microscale.

The decals are crisply printed with most of the smaller fonts being quite legible. The recommended kits are the Hobbycraft or Monogram A-4E/F. I would think that most of the markings would be quite useable on the Hasegawa kit with the possible exception of the rudder flashes.

Bu No 154173, “500”, is an A-4F from VA55 “War Horses” that was serving in CVW-21 on the USS Hancock in 1972. These markings have been released by other manufacturers and (if memory serves) on a release of Hasegawa’s 1/72 offering.

The aircraft features a large dark green ‘Nike’ swoosh on the tail and the avionics hump. A checkerboard pattern and multi colour stripes are displayed on the rudder. I’m assuming this is a CAG bird.

The unit emblem, a winged seahorse inside a green and white checkerboard ring, is provided for the intake trunks. There appears to be a minor error in the artwork where the scroll across the bottom has a line visible that should not be there. However, try as I might, I cannot find an image of this aircraft to provide a definitive answer.

Bu No 150009, “407”, is an A-4E from VA12 “Fighting Ubangis” that was serving in CVW-1 on the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1966. These markings feature a prominent red rudder with black trim, the usual codes and serials. This aircraft also carries and Efficiency ‘E’.

The unit emblem, a white skull in a red trimmed black circle, has a minor error on one side in that the teeth of the skull have not been printed. This will be easily cured by most though with the use of a bush and carefully applied paint. VA12 aircraft also feature the stars and bars below the cockpit, a carryover from A4C days perhaps.

A range of stencils including intake, hook, blast and ejection seat warnings are provided for each aircraft. Eight stars and bars, with separate red bars are provided as are black walkways and arrestor hook stripes.

In summary, this sheet provides two attractive sets of markings for fans of the Scooter.

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 24 November, 2002
Last updated 14 August, 2003

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