IsraDecal IAF-23 & IAF-24
 
Israeli AF Helicopters 2003

and

H-60 Blackhawks

Reviewed by Dave Williams

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1/48 scale Israeli Air Force Helicopters 2003 (IAF-23) 

IsraDecal’s new 1/48 scale decal sheet provides decals for a number of combat helicopters operated by the Israeli Air Force.  Accompanied by a 16-page black-and-white instruction booklet, the two decal sheets included allow the modeler to do a variety of helicopters in a number of different paint schemes.  The sheet only covers the smaller/medium helicopters.  Markings for larger transport helicopters like the CH-53 or the Super Frelon are not included on the sheet. 

Instructions are provided for the following: 

·         AH-1G/Q Cobras of the 1^st Cobra Squadron.  Instructions are provided for both the original olive drab FS 34087 scheme and the later FS 30099 scheme.

·         AH-1S Cobras of the Flight School in FS 34031.

·         AH-1S Cobras of the Southern Cobra Squadron in early FS 30099 or later FS 30145 paint.  Some aircraft feature a sand colored cobra painted on the side of the nose.

·         AH-1S Cobra of the Northern Cobra Squadron in FS 30145.  The decals include the large black cobra applied along the length of the aircraft after 2002.

·         SA-365N Dauphin 2.  Markings are provided for #901 and #905, the only two Dauphins operated by the Israeli Navy.  Markings are provided for both the early white and FS 12197 scheme, and the late FS 25185 and FS 36375 low-viz scheme.

·         AS 565MA Panther in the low-viz FS 25185 and FS 36375 scheme.

·         AH-64A Apache of the 2^nd Apache Squadron and Hornet Squadron in overall FS 34031.

·         AH-64A Apache of the “Magic Touch Squadron”, 2003, in the new desert camouflage of FS 33448 and FS 30145 over FS 36492.

·         MD-500 Defenders of the Defender Squadron and Flight School.  Markings are provided for both the delivery scheme of FS 30099 and the later scheme of FS 30145.  Hebrew names for specific aircraft are also provided.

·         UH-60A/L Blackhawks of the 1^st Helicopters Squadron and the Desert Birds Squadron.  Painting options are provided for the US scheme of FS 34031 and the new “desert” scheme as also applied to the AH-64s. 

The markings are conveniently grouped on the decal sheets by type, for easy location.  Stenciling is included, as are the identification “V” markings. 

The decals are excellently printed by Cartograf.  The second decal sheet, (IAF-23/2), containing the large black cobra markings and the decals must be cut out individually.  

Recommended kits are the Hasegawa Apache kits, the Monogram Cobra, Trumpeter Dolphin, Academy MD 500, and Revell Blackhawk.  Although not mentioned, the Fujimi Cobra, Academy AH-64, and Academy Blackhawk kits could also be used.  In fact, some of the early AH-1s shown on the sheet cannot be built from the Monogram kit as they are earlier versions that are only available in kit form from Fujimi.

1/35 Scale Israeli Air Force H-60 Blackhawk (IAF-24) 

Designed for the Academy 1/35 Blackhawk kits, or the Italeri reboxes, this sheet provides markings for IAF Blackhawks of the 1^st Helicopters Squadron and the Desert Birds Squadron.  In addition to the original FS 34031 scheme, markings are provided for the new “desert” scheme as detailed above in the IAF-23 review.  A comprehensive 8-page instruction booklet accompanies the two decal sheets in the set.  Full stenciling, including the identification “V” markings are included on the sheet.  As with their other recent releases, one of the sheets (IAF-24/2) is printed as a solid sheet and requires cutting out of individual decals. 

Modelers should note that the photos on the instructions show that a number of the IAF Blackhawks are fitted with warning antennas and sensors on the nose and tail, and dual flare dispensers on the fuselage sides.  Most of these items are different than those fitted to US machines, meaning they will have to be scratchbuilt, if desired.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

The decals are of excellent quality and well researched.  Modelers who are interested in these IAF aircraft should have no reservations about picking up any of these sheets.  The new “desert” scheme provides a nice option for those looking for something a little different from the plain, boring overall OD paint scheme applied to US Apaches and Blackhawks.

Highly Recommended! 

Dave Williams

IPMS/USA 19050

Review samples kindly provided by Isradecal. 

Preview Text Copyright © 2003 by Dave Williams
This Page Created on 19 December, 2003
Last updated 19 December, 2003

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