Afterburner decals 48002 review

1/48 F-16CJ Block 50 Shaw Shooters

20th FW, 55th FS "Shooters"

product #AD 48-002 $12.00

Review by Keith Diamond on July 31 2006

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This sheet covers 3 different F-16CJs from the 20^th FW, 55^th FS "Shooters" based out of Shaw AFB, SC. All aircraft are MCID intake and GE engine equipped Block 50 Vipers. The recommended kit for this decal sheet is the 1/48^th Hasegawa F-16CJ series.

The first aircraft is F-16CJ 93-0554 marked as the 55^th FS flag ship at Shaw during the Summer of 2005. I can personally vouch for the accuracy of decals for this aircraft as I provided some of the reference photographs. This aircraft differs from the other two because it has gone through CCIP modifications. The most noticeable external difference is the AN/APX-113 antennae in front of the canopy. Also, Shaw at this time was receiving the JHMCS helmet, so if you decide to include a pilot figure, then that is an option.

The other two jets represented on the sheet are 55^th Vipers deployed at Incirlik AB, Turkey during Operation Northern Watch in Fall of 1999. F-16CJ 91-0382 is notable because it carries a kill marking for a SA-3. F-16CJ 91-0346 carries some attractive artwork behind the canopy commemorating the 55^th FS time deployed for Northern Watch. Both of these aircraft carry slightly different tail markings and than 93-0554, and neither are CCIP modified.

There are enough stencils provided on the sheet for two aircraft (which I just may build!) and the markings are noticeably nice and crisp. On the back of the instruction sheet is a paint guide that includes the FS numbers of the paints needed to paint all three Vipers. On the reverse of this sheet are side diagrams of all three jets with notes on each of them.

There is an additional insert with details on both sides. The Stencil Guide has a 4 sides view of the jets listing the decal placement with a few modeling notes. On the reverse are specific details of the aircraft represented. Aircraft Notes list characteristics of the USAF Block 50 Viper. Modeling Notes list recommended aftermarket sets to further detail the recommended 1/48^th Hasegawa F-16CJ Viper. There are also notes on the 55^th FS when it was deployed for Northern Watch, and also for the 55^th FS when it is at Shaw AFB.

Click on images below to see larger images

Overall, it is an excellent sheet. It's one of those sheets that I was looking forward to for a while, and was happy to have helped with.

Keith

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