SB Decals

 1/48 Red Star Reserves decal sheet

F/A-18C VFC-12 - F-5E VFC-111

product # SB48004

Review by Steve Bamford on Apr 21 2008

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Here's a new release from SB Decals.  SB Decals are a collaboration between Sprue Brothers Models and Steel Beach Accessories.  This decal sheet includes a blue/gray camo F/A-18C and a desert camo F-5E.

  • The first aircraft is a late model F/A-18C BuNo 164644 with "Fighting Omars" of VFC-12.  VFC-12 represent NAS Oceana's only Naval Reserve squadron.  This particular F/A-18C is done up in the Aggressor paint scheme of blue/gray/blue with Red Stars on the tails to simulate Russian aircraft.  The nose cone is white.....very much like you would see on a Russian aircraft.  The markings on this aircraft are all in blue to give them a lo-viz appearance.  The fin flash at the top of the tail is white.
  • The second aircraft is a F-5E BuNo 761527 with "Sundowners" of VFC-111, another Naval Reserve squadron.  VF-111 began its life as VF-11 flying Grumman F4F Wildcats. To epitomize their spirit and tactical superiority over the Japanese, the squadron decided it should be called the 'Sundowners' and its insignia (which persists to this day) depicts two F-4F Wildcats shooting down a Rising Sun.  This particular F-5E is done up in the desert Aggressor paint scheme of tan/brown/tan with Red Stars on the tails to simulate Russian aircraft.  The tail rudders has the famous sundowners setting sun.  The nose cone is black.....as you would see on some Russian aircraft with all the markings on this aircraft are all in black.  This aircraft also sports a sharks mouth. 

Click on images below to see larger images

  

The markings are all contained on one decal sheet with a full set of stencils for both aircraft.  For the F/A-18C you get formation lights and for the F-5E you get the choice of red setting sun decals for the rudder if you choose to paint the rudder white first or you can use the red and white rudder decals.  Colors are called out in FS#'s  and the 2 pages of instructions include 4 view color drawings of each aircraft showing decal placement.

The VFC12 late 'C' model Hornets have IFF Blades in front of the cockpit.  MAW decals offers a resin replacement nose and other upgrade sets to bring the Hasegawa kit up to a late 'C' configuration.  These sets are available from Sprue Bros.

Excellent reference photos for this decal sheet were kindly provided by Ron Carlson and he deserves much thanks for that.  

This is a great sheet and will sell well....guaranteed.....buy them now rather than later.

This sheet is available through Sprue Bros or go to the SB Decals webpage on the Sprue Bros site.

Steve

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford