Once again, Max decals has delved into the places rarely visited by the more mainstream decal makers and produced another in his Antarctic aircraft series. This time the sheet is dedicated to the C-130. Just to add to the interest, a C-121J has been added to the sheet as a bonus. Basically, there markings sufficient to do three of seventeen possible aircraft. The use of additional insignial will allow the others to be modeled should you so wish. Probably the most difficult part of doing this sheet will be ski modifications for the Hercs and if you wish to do the USAF version, you'll also need to have some upgrade parts to make a proper LC-130H. The instructions offer information on finding the various resin sets needed. This is also a double sheet set.

What you have on this sheet are three different C-130 schemes plus the C-121J. The LC-130F/R USN planes were generally in two color schemes, both with lots of International Orange. The early scheme KC-130Fs had JD tail codes for VXE-6 and were basically bare metal with upper fuselage in Engine Grey (FS 16081) and the tail section in Dayglo Orange with some section s still in bare metal. Upper wings were also in Engine Grey with Dayglo tips top and bottom. The LC-130Rs were also with VXE-6 and coded XD. These were in a similar scheme to the LC-130Fs but had Light Gull Grey (FS 16440) in place of the bare metal. The entire wings, upper and lower were in Engine Grey and the Dayglo was replaced with International Orange(FS12197).

When the Navy pulled out of polar operations in 1999, the LC-130Hs of the 109AW, NY ANG took over. These planes are mostly ADC grey (FS 16473) with wing tip and tail areas in International Orange. Not as cool looking as the VXE-6 birds, but sufficient. Several of the LC-130R planes have been taken over by the USAF and reserialed. Specifically, these are 159129, 160740 and 160741. I'm assuming that they are painted just like the 109 AW planes, but have not seen any photos of these ex-USN birds in their new schemes.

Finally, the extra bird, the C-121J. This is painted in a standard Light Gull Grey lower and White upper scheme of transports, but with red conspicuity panels. There were other schemes carried by this aircraft, and those are listed on the sheet.

For kits you have Heller for the 121, Italeri and Airfix for the Hercs, but most will probably go for the Italeri kit. It isn't perfect, but it has fewer glitches than the Airfix version.

A really excellent sheet. Normally I try to do one of the schemes from the newer Max sheets, but I'll have to balk at this one! :o)

Review sheet courtesy of Max Decals. To see color versions of the sheet instructions, please visit them at www.maxdecals.com. You can also order sheets if they are unavailable at your local hobby shop.

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