Skyraiders Part 2

Eagle Strike Productions
 

Reviewed by Rodger Kelly

Eagle Strike's 1/48 scale Skyraiders Part 2 is available online from Squadron.com

Eagle Strike sheet number 48107 provides markings for three different Skyraiders sporting overall glossy sea blue camouflage.

First is AD-2Q, Bureau number 122366 of VF-152 in San Francisco, October 1949. The majority of markings are in white and include the airwing identifier letter A for the vertical stabilizer, modex number 3s for the fuselage sides and cowling lip. Bureau number data block, pilot’s name for both sides of the fuselage below the windscreen, band for the spine mounted VHF antenna, and white stripes for the base of the fin cap – you will have to paint the fin cap black yourself. There are two white bordered red triangles with a black dot to be placed on the fuselage under the windscreen. The instructions offer no explanation of them but my bet is that they are some form of gunnery award. Eagle Strike offers these as a complete decal or as a three part one to address any issues with register.

Next is AD-1Q, Bureau number 09361 from NAS Grosse Ile in 1950. Basically the same as the previous aircraft with the exception of a red fin cap. It also sports the international orange band around the rear fuselage signifying that it is a Naval Reserve aircraft. The orange band is provided as a two part decal incorporating the NAS name. To me, the orange is a little on the brown side for international orange and perhaps should be a little brighter.

Last is “Janet”, a US Marine Corps aircraft. AD-4N, Bureau number 125723 of VMC-1 based at K-16, an airbase in Korea in 1954. “Janet” differs from her Naval cousins in that whilst she sports the same markings as the previous two aircraft, they are in a subdued grey. There is a nice sharp reference picture of this aircraft on page 32 of the Squadron Signal Skyraider in Action book.

Stencil data for all three aircraft is virtually non existent. Step guides, approach angle guides (Navy aircraft only) and white stripes for the arrestor hook are all that is provided. Conversely, there are three complete sets of national insignia – two sets in white and one set of subdued for the Marine aircraft. Curiously, the white insignia is printed with a separate red bar whilst the subdued ones are all one piece. The decals themselves have been printed in by an un-named company in Mexico. Whoever they are they are right up there with the big boys. The decals are sharp, clear and have minimal film surrounding each subject. I have used Eagle Strike decals printed in Mexico before for an overall glossy sea blue F6F. They went on beautifully. The white was totally opaque and did not let the dark blue bleed through at all. Hopefully, these will be the same.

Decal placement is guided by a full colour A-4 sized sheet that shows side profiles of each aircraft and a generic top view of the entire aircraft as well as the lower right wing. The decal sheet and placement guide are packed in a clear plastic zip-loc bag.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

The recommended kits are the Monogram and Tamiya A-1H. Herein lays the curiosity with this sheet.

None of the depicted aircraft can be built out of the box. Each one is different and all require modifications to be carried out to accurately model them. Some of the mods are quite simple, requiring the removal or addition of antenna. The one mod that needs to be carried out to all of them though is that a door needs to be scribed into the port side of the fuselage and two oval shaped windows need to be added to either sides of the fuselage. The placement guide lists each of these modifications. There may also be issues with the external armour and you need to check references or better still, find a photo of the aircraft you opt for and study it carefully before cutting plastic.

Maybe the guys at Eagle Strike know something we don’t and there is a conversion in the wings for these two kits to make your job easier. Still, this is a good sheet and apart from the shade of orange used for the fuselage band it is all well done.

Recommended for the hard-core Spad fan.