IsraDecal
IAF-25, -26, -28, and -28
 
Israeli Gloster Meteor

and

SNCASO Vautour
 

Reviewed by Dave Williams

vailable online from Squadron.com

Israeli Air Force Gloster Meteor (IAF-25 and 26) 

Available in both 1/48 scale (IAF-25) and 1/72 scale (IAF-26), IsraDecals’ new sheet covers multiple versions of the Gloster Meteor as used by the Israeli Air Force (IAF).  In addition to the F.8 fighter, the sheet provides markings for T.7 trainer, FR.9 recon bird and the NF.13 Nightfighter.  Painting instructions are included for both the original silver and the later blue/brown/gray camouflage schemes for the T.7, FR.9, and F.8, and the blue/dark earth/extra dark sea gray scheme for the NF.13.  The instructions are contained in an 8-page booklet, which includes black and white photographs of various aircraft in addition to conventional line drawings showing decal placement. 

Specific instructions are provided for the following aircraft: 

·         Meteor T.7 #a13, a14, a15, and a16, First Jet Squadron, 1953 in overall silver.

·         Meteor FR.9 #36, First Jet Squadron, 1956 in overall silver.  This aircraft was the only IAF Meteor that scored air-to-air kills, shooting down two Egyptian Vampires

·         Meteor F.8 #02 and 04, Knights of the North Squadron, 1960 in blue/brown/gray camouflage

·         Meteor FR.9 #33, Knights of the North Squadron, 1958 in blue/brown/gray camouflage

·         Meteor F.8 #04, First Jet Squadron, 1956 in overall silver

·         Meteor F.8 #09, Knights of the Orange Tail Squadron, 1963 in blue/brown/gray camouflage.  This aircraft was used for target towing and featured narrow day-glow orange stripes around the nose, rear fuselage, and on the wings.  The stripes are provided on the decal sheet

·         Meteor T.7 and T.7.5, Knights of the North Squadron, 1969 in blue/brown/gray camouflage

·         Meteor NF.13, Bat Squadron, 1956 in blue/dark earth/extra dark sea gray camouflage 

Although the instructions show specific aircraft, numbers are provided as individual decals allowing the modeler to make other aircraft than the one shown in the instructions.  The only exception is that the code for NF.13 #50 is not provided on the 1/48 scale sheet due to space considerations.  The decals are thin and well printed, and should pose no problems during application. 

An item of interest for owners of the Classic Airframes Meteor F.8 is that a number of the silver F.8s are shown with the early canopy, meaning that purchase of the “late” kit is not necessary, unless one wants to do a camouflaged bird.  Interestingly, photos on the instruction sheet show some silver F.8s like #04 with both the early and late style canopies. 

Recommended kits are the Classic Airframes and Aeroclub kits in 1/48 and the PJ Models, Aeroclub, and Matchbox kits in 1/72 scale.

Israeli Air Force SNCASO Vautour (IAF-27 and 28)

Like the Meteor sheets, the IsraDecal sets for the Vautour are available in both 1/48 (IAF-27) and 1/72 (IAF-28) scales.  Decals are provided for all three versions operated by the IAF, the Vautour IIA strike fighter, the Vautour IIB light bomber, and the two-seat Vautour IIN all-weather fighter.  In addition, decals are provided for three different schemes: the original natural metal finish (NMF), the blue/brown/gray camouflage scheme, and the brown/green/sand/light blue scheme.  Stencils are also provided in French for the NMF scheme and in Hebrew for the two camouflage schemes.  The instructions are provided in an 8-page booklet with photographs of various aircraft included as with the Meteor sheets. 

Specific instructions are provided for the following aircraft: 

·         Vautour IIA #03, Knights of the North Squadron, 1958 in NMF.

·         Vautour IIB #31, Knights of the North Squadron, 1959 in NMF.

·         Vautour IIN #66, Bat Squadron, 1959 in NMF.

·         Vautour IIA #17, Knights of the North Squadron, 1967 in blue/brown/gray camouflage.  This aircraft was the only Vautour to shoot down an enemy aircraft (an Iraqi Hunter).

·         Vautour IIB #31, Knights of the North Squadron, mid 1967 in blue/brown/gray camouflage.

·         Vautour IIN #66, Knights of the North Squadron, 1968 in blue/brown/gray camouflage.

·         Vautour IIA #09, Knights of the North Squadron, 1970 in brown/green/sand/light blue camouflage.

·         Vautour IIB #33, Knights of the North Squadron, 1970 in brown/green/sand/light blue camouflage.  This is the only Vautour IIB to survive IAF service and today stands at the IAF museum.

·         Vautour IIN #67, Knights of the North Squadron, 1970 in brown/green/sand/light blue camouflage. 

Aircraft numbers are provided individually, allowing any Vautour that served with the IAF to be modeled.  In addition, many aircraft painted in the camouflage schemes had individual names painted on the nose.  These names are included on the decal sheet and IsraDecal has included a table showing the name associated with individual aircraft arranged by number and type (A, B, or N).  Name decals are provided for both camouflage schemes, as the font was different between the two schemes.  Microscale prints the decals, so application should not present any problems. 

Recommended kits in 1/48 scale are the IIA and IIN from Hi-Tech, and the IIB from Fonderie Miniatures.  In 1/72 scale, the listed kits are the IIA from Mach 2, and the IIN and IIB from Hi-Tech.

These 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.  While the modelers doing the 1/48 scale Meteors should have no problems finding the required kits, thanks to Classic Airframes, those doing the other aircraft may have to search around to find the required kits. 

If you can find the kit, these decals are Highly Recommended! 

Dave Williams

IPMS/USA 19050

Review samples kindly provided by Isradecal. 

Preview Text Copyright © 2003 by Dave Williams
This Page Created on 07 December, 2003
Last updated 06 December, 2003

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