Afterburner Decals

Lakenheath Eagles 1999-2006

 493rd Fighter Squadron

1/48 scale product #AD 48-005

Review by Ken Middleton on Mar 30 2007

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Here's a review of a new 1/48 sheet from Afterburner Decals, Lakenheath F-15C/D Eagles from Lakenheath AB, England. The sheet includes numerous MiG killers.
The decals are sized for the Hasegawa kit, and markings for 9 jets are included:

Serials

  • 86-0164 - 493rd FS jet 1999
  • 86-0156 - OAF Double MiG Killer
  • 86-0159 - OAF MiG Killer
  • 84-0014 - Gulf War / OAF MiG Killer
  • 86-0169 - OAF MiG Killer
  • 84-0027 - 493rd FS jet 2005/2006, kill markings not carried since 2004
  • 84-0019 - Gulf War Double MiG Killer (Incorrectly labeled as 86-0019 in the Aircraft Notes section)
  • 86-0165
  • 84-0044 - F-15D
The decals are in-register, clear and are beautifully printed. Most of the tail markings and badges are 2 piece decals, ensuring good registry. Large unit decals are provided to be used on intake covers as well.

There is a small sheet with kill marking flags for Iraq and Serbia. My samples seemed a bit blurry.

Because the camo demarcation line crosses through the side-fuselage stars and bars, additional ones are provided to layer the 2 different colors, and trim accordingly.

The color instruction sheet has 4-view drawings to assist in decal placement, and numerous modeler notes point out tips on specific decals. Extensive weapons notes and stencil markings are illustrated. An additional Aircraft Notes sheet is also included that details much history on certain airframes.

The F-15 color markings diagram has a minor error in that it shows the antennae on both rear stabilator booms by the exhaust - it is present on the right one only.

Also, in the weapons' stations table, on both stations 2 and 8, rails A and B are reversed. However, it is correct on the diagram here from AB Decals website.

With the provided black "LN" tail codes and stencils, you can make 3 complete jets from this sheet.

On the sheet, special thanks are given to:
  • LtCol Mike "Dozer" Shower
  • LtCol Robert "Cricket" Renner
  • Maj Richard "MANO" Steele
  • Capt Kedric "Crusher" Osbourne
  • Maj Stu "Razor" Johnson
  • Msgt Donald Green
  • Tsgt Jason Schmidt
  • Tsgt Paul Kielar
  • Ssgt Brian Fordham
  • Ssgt Jeff Stoermer
  • Tsgt Duane Kaiser
  • Jill Berkland
  • Scott Manhardt
  • Steve Davies
  • Graham Marsh
  • Didier Dumont
  • Gary Pashley
  • Bill Roberts

This sheet retails for $20.00 and is available through http://www.afterburnerdecals.com 

Special thanks to Afterburner Decals for the review sample. 

Ken

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