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HMS Ark Royal

Air Wing Selection

 

1/48 scale
 (also available in 1/72)

 

Model Alliance Decals

 

S u m m a r y
Catalogue Number and Details: Model Alliance No. MA-48121 HMS Ark Royal Air Wing Selection
Scale: 1/48
Contents and Media: 1 x 150mm x 210mm decal sheet; 1 (big!) x 290mm x 210mm decal sheet; eight page full colour, stapled A5 sized instruction booklet with profiles of 13 aircraft and with recommended kits and conversion sets in the relevant scale.
Price: GBP£13.00 available online from the Model Alliance website
Review Type: FirstLook
Advantages: Interesting subjects; wide variety of colours, markings and variants; excellent printing ie, perfect register, excellent full-colour instructions with notes and four views for each subject; good colour density and minimum carrier film.
Disadvantages:  
Recommendation: Highly Recommended


Reviewed by Brett Green


 HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Squadron.com

 

FirstLook

 

Model Alliance continues to delight fans of British aviation with their new release, "HMS Ark Royal Air Wing Selection". These decals are available in either 1/48 scale and 1/72 scales, but we are examining the 1/48 scale sample here.

The subjects cover a wide selection of aircraft types over some of the middle years years of the Ark Royal's service from 1956 to 1974. A nice variety of camouflage and markings is offered on the two large decal sheets. It is especially pleasing to see the brave selection of some subjects that are only available as limited run or vacform kits.

Specifically, the subjects are:

  • Two Sea Venom FAW 2s - WW150 353/O of 890 NAS with black/yellow check tip tanks, and WW140 436/O of 891 NAS 1956. Extra Dark Sea Grey and Sky

  • Whirlwind HAS Mk 3 - XG572 971 of Ships Flight. Extra Dark Sea Grey and Sky

  • Two Sea Hawk FGA Mk 6s - XE385 109/R of 800 NAS, and XE608 470/R of 898 NAS, both in  1957. Extra Dark Sea Grey and Sky

  • Gannet AEW Mk 3 - 041/R of 849 NAS during 1970. Extra Dark Sea Grey and Sky

  • Buccaneer S Mk.1 - XN928 119/R of 801 NAS 1964 finished in overall white

  • Sea Vixen FAW 1 - XJ559 007/R 890 NAS 1964 in Extra Dark Sea Grey and White

  • Two Scimitar F Mk.1s - XD276 100/R and XD280 104/R both from 800 NAS Extra Dark Sea Grey and White

  • Skyraider AEW Mk I - 419/R of 849 NAS during 1958 overall Gloss Sea Blue

  • Two Sea King HAS Mk.1s - XV850 55/R 1970, and HAS Mk 2 XZ577 52/R 1974 both from 824 NAS in overall RAF Blue Grey.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

Instructions are first rate. They are supplied as an eight page, stapled booklet with four views of all 13 subjects. Each profile includes notes on the service of the aircraft and available kits and/or conversions in 1/72 and 1/48 scales.

The decals themselves are beautifully printed on two sheets and in perfect register. Colours look good.

This is another high quality and interesting release of a whole swag of previously neglected subjects in Royal Navy service.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Aviation Workshop / Model Alliance (UK)  for the review sample

Model Alliance products are available online from the Aviation Workshop.

Review Copyright © 2006 by Brett Green
Page Created 11 August, 2006
Last updated 11 August, 2006

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