Reviewed by Rodger Kelly
 

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Squadron

More gull grey and white with bright full colour markings. 48-123 is the second of the two new S-3A sheets from CAM decals.

This one also provides markings for a single machine. This time it is a Pacific Fleet aircraft Bureau Number 160598 of VS-29 Dragonfires. The markings depict the aircraft when it was aboard the USS Ranger in 1979.

The supplied markings are:

• 711 modex in black for either side of the fuselage, the top of the right wing and a pair of smaller ones for the rudder as well as a pair of abbreviated 11s for the top of the wing flaps. Again, the Esci kit does not feature dropped flaps but it is a nice touch to include them anyway and they will find a home in the ever open spares box. You are given two options with the rudder modex. A single set by themselves as well as another pair that is included on the yellow trim that featured on the fin cap and trailing edge of the rudder – your choice.

• USS Ranger as well as NAVY and VS-29 titles for the rear fuselage

• The yellow trim for the fin cap and rudder

• Bureau number blocks for the tail

• Large abbreviated Bureau number for the vertical stabiliser

• NE Air wing identifiers for the tail (black with yellow shadowing)

• VS-29 squadron insignia comprising a fire-breathing dragon headed Viking ship with a yellow and white sail

The decals themselves have been printed by Microscale so you know that you will not have any problems with them. The designs are sharply printed, in perfect register and have an absolute minimum of decal film surrounding them.

48-123 also features two sheets. The larger sheet provides all of the main markings with the second sheet providing the prominent walkways for the top of the fuselage as well as the stencil outline of the "don’t walk here" areas. A full set of national insignia is provided as is a pretty comprehensive set of stencil data including the black stripes for the tail hook.

The placement guide is the standard A-4 sheet with full colour side profiles (left and right hand sides as well as a plan view of the upper surfaces.

The decal sheets and placement guide come packed in a clear plastic ziploc bag.

A quick peek inside my old original issue Esci kit reveals markings for a VS-29 squadron sister however; the CAM Decals sheet is vastly superior.

The same comment holds for this sheet - an excellent offering from CAM Decals. It provides complete top quality markings for a single machine along with a comprehensive set of stencil data.

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 © 2004 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 03 December, 2004
Last updated 05 December, 2004

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