Reviewed by Rodger Kelly
 

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FirstLook

This is the second sheet in Cutting Edges Prowler trilogy provides markings for two Atlantic Fleet EA-6Bs. 

First up is Bureau number 163526 of VAQ-141 “Shadowhawks” when it was part of CVW-8 based aboard the USS John F. Kennedy.  The aircraft is finished in FS 36320 dark compass grey over FS 36375 light compass grey.  As far as Prowlers go, this is a reasonably colourful bird. 

The basic squadron markings are in black and include

• 621 modex numbers for the nose and the top surfaces of the wing flaps.
• Abbreviated “21” modex numbers for both sides of the rudder and the nose undercarriage doors as well as the rear of the tail cap radome underneath the “beer can”.
• Navy titles, ship’s titles, and VAQ-141 titles for both sides of the rear fuselage.
• Stencilled warning data for the arrestor hook and jet blast.
• Crew names for the canopy rails (left side only).
• “Sailor of the Year” name for the forward equipment bay door.
• Stars and bars.

The “AJ” airwing identifier, Bureau number and intake warnings are in dark grey. 

Befitting the CO’s mount, the black “Shadowhawk”, that covers much of the fin, sports red eyes.   The “Shadowhawk” is provided as a single design with the parts that cover the Band 1 and 2 antennas cut out.  The parts that cover the antennas are supplied as separate pieces to address the placement/settling issues that will be present when you apply this large decal.  There is also nose art in the shape of a black “gunfighter” figure as well as a mission log in the form of two white missiles. 

The last two markings for this option are black and white R and E letters.

These letters signify that the squadron received awards.  The E being the much coveted Battle E award, and the R being for rockets.  These markings are black with a white shadow so you need to apply the white decal first and then overlay the black one.   

The other aircraft is Bureau number 162934 of VAQ-132 “Scorpions”.  The decals depict this aircraft when it was VAQ-132’s CAG bird and carrying the special “Christmas” markings that the USN seems to allow squadrons to apply to their aircraft when they are “on station” during the Christmas period. 

The basic colour scheme is a little different from the “Shadowhawks” machine in that it has FS 35237 dark blue-grey applied to the front of the fuselage and the dark compass grey extending down over the intakes. 

In contrast to the ‘Shadowhawks” the squadron insignia is in dark grey and includes:

• Navy titles, ship’s titles (USS George Washington), and VAQ-132 titles for both sides of the rear fuselage.
• Stencilled warning data for the arrestor hook and jet blast.
• Stars and bars.
• Stencilled warning data for the arrestor hook and jet blast.

• Intake warnings.
• Ejection warning triangles

Black markings include:

• 500 modex numbers for the nose, the top surfaces of the wing flaps, and nose undercarriage doors.
• Crew names for the canopy rails (both sides this time).
• “Sailor of the Year” name for the forward equipment bay door.

• The Bureau number.

Other markings include:

• “seasons greetings” titles in the traditional Christmas colours of red and green for the sides of the rear fuselage.
• A very much modified “Scorpions” tail marking that features snow on the top of the tail and body with red undersurface as well as the CVW-17 marking (also bearing snow), and a Christmas Grinch with another cartoon character in a red boat.  The Bureau number is applied over the top of the boat so that it has a white surround.
• A pair of full colour USN anchors for the panel between the front and rear canopies.

As with the Prowlers Part 1 sheet, this one also lacks the majority of stencil data that you could reasonably expect to see on a 1/48 scale model.

Decal placement guide is provided by the ubiquitous full colour, double-sided A-4 sheet with a separate sheet supplying additional info for the VAQ-141 machine and the FS 595 cross reference to model paints.

In summary, Part Two of Cutting Edge's Prowler trilogy is a nice sheet.

Recommended.
 

Review Copyright © 2001 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 27 October, 2002
Last updated 14 August, 2003

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