Oh Mama!!!
Finally the 1/32 builders can grin big time!!! Just when you think you've seen the most
colourful, most complicated, most
appealing Canadian Air Force decal set from Leading
Edge Models....along comes something that tops all the former
beauties. Dave at Leading Edge Models
has reason to be quite proud of this latest offering....this decal sheet is a
stunning beauty.
This decal sheet is
for the 2002 Demo bird that the CAF did up for the 2002 airshow circuit.
This has become a bit of a tradition the last few years with the CAF 410
Squadron coming up with ever more attractive paint schemes. The subject of this
decal sheet is the Canadian Air Force CF-188 Hornet 20 Anniversary Hornet of the
operational use of the F-18 Hornet.
Below is a close-up photo of
part of the 1/32 decal set. This is one very complicated decal
sheet. Then to consider all the colours and getting all those colours
correct AND in register? Well the mind boggles at how this is
possible. Then if you see these decals up close, it will leave you
pleasantly stunned how crisp the printing is. Like me....you'll haul out
the magnifying glass to try to look for printing flaws....to no avail I might
add. Sheer perfection through and through.
So what is included in the paint
scheme? This plane is a 410 Cougar Squadron plane so it has the usual
Cougar head insignia on the vertical stabs. Below that on the outside of
both vertical stabs are large "Hornets" in diving attack mode....with
Maple Leafs on their wings. The back half of the airframe is striped like
a red hot Hornet. The top side of the wings have sweeping light blue Maple
Leafs fanning out across them from the centre fuselage. On both sides of
the fuselage below the cockpit are Squadron badges for Hornet Squadrons.
These squadron badges are a thing to behold on the decal sheet.....they are so
small, yet so lovely at how clearly printed they are.
The 1/32 decal set has all the
decals on three large decal sheets. As I've said.....the printing quality is flawless.
Also included in this decal set
are 7 pages of black and white instructions with tips on how to lay out the
decals and do the painting needed for this decal sheet including some masking
guidelines.
My only opinion of this sheet
is.....if you enjoy these CAF Colour Birds...then this is a "MUST
HAVE" with no second thoughts necessary. Just rush out and buy it.
Below is a side view
of this plane.
Special thanks to
Dave at Leading Edge Models for the review
samples.
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