Reviewed by Ken Bowes
 

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Squadron

In February 2003 75 Squadron RAAF, equipped with the F/A-18A Hornet, was deployed to the Middle East Area of Operations as part of the Coalition effort to enforce Iraq’s compliance with its international obligations. The Squadron conducted combat operations over Iraq throughout March and April and returned to Australia in May 2003. For sustained outstanding service in warlike operations during offensive combat operations in the complex and dangerous air environment encountered during Operation FALCONER the Squadron was awarded a Meritorious Unit Citation.

As part of their range of Australian subjects Hawkeye Decals has produced a comprehensive decal sheet which allows the modeller to build any one of 13 of the 14 RAAF Hornets that deployed for Operation Falconer. The main decal sheet is printed using Hawkeye’s own proprietary process and provides the bulk of the markings for the 75 and 77 Sqn aircraft deployed. These include A21-20 with the Grumpy Monkey replaced by a Magpie, the nose art on A21-28 and the variations in the colours and direction of the Magpie markings on individual 75 Sqn Aircraft. A good quantity of small 75 Sqn zaps that appear on underwing stores pylons are also supplied. Supplementary screen printed sheets provide the markings for 3 Sqn aircraft, bomb symbols and complete maintenance stencilling for 4 aircraft.

Registration of the decals is good, but users must be aware that the sheet is printed on a continuous carrier film and therefore each design must be trimmed closely when removed for application. The 2 A4 sized double-sided instruction sheets are provided in Hawkeye’s new house style. They are in full colour and provide all the information you need to determine the correct marking combinations for any of the fourteen aircraft, including how many individual bomb symbols were applied to each jet. One page alone is devoted to the application of all those stencils. Also supplied with the instructions are a number of reference photos of the real aircraft.

The one drawback, if there is one, is that the RAAF F/A-18s deployed were upgraded considerably from baseline A models and as such all available kits, with the exception of the new Academy 1/32 Hornet will need modifications made to accurately reflect the changes. This of course is not a reflection on the decals themselves, which are excellent and provide a good starting point for those wishing to build a replica of the first RAAF fighters to drop bombs in anger since 1960.

This release is highly recommended for all RAAF aficionados and those looking for something different from all those USAF OIF subjects currently out there.

Click the thumbnails below to view additional images:

These decals are available from Hawkeye Models Australia
via Steve Evans -  sgevans@bigpond.com 

Review Copyright © 2003 by FLT LT Ken Bowes
This Page Created on 02 December, 2003
Last updated 02 December, 2003

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