RV Models 72-002 MiG-23 'Flogger'

RV Models has produced a line of 1/72 MiG-23 Flogger kits and so it is not unsurprising that they would offer the decals used in those kits at a separate item.  Recently I started a Heller 1/72 MiG-23 and was looking for alternate markings options when a web search turned up this sheet. I ordered it from a US retailer and in a few days, a soggy envelope came in the mails. Fortunately, it appears that the decals were not harmed. The decals themselves appear to be very nicely done and you get a ton of options.

In fact, there are 30 dedicated markings options provided on the sheet. Of course, you cannot do them all as there are insignia only from one or two from each nation represented and the only nations from which you can do two are because their insignia was changed during the time they operated the type. You get options for Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Soviet Union, Algeria, East Germany, Oland, Syria, Germany, Iraq, Cuba and India.

More than most will use in a lifetime. There is just one little issue I have with the set. No markings placement or painting instructions come with the sheet. Frankly, had I known this, I would have saved my money as I'm a person who like to have instructions and painting information with my decals.

Apparently RV Resin assumes every modeler will be doing his or her painting next to their computer as the only place to get these important documents is on their web site. And there they are; ten pages of profiles. Color information is provided, but the quality of the image is such that when you print them out, you cannot read the FS number of many of the shades. Not only that, but some of the shades are so dark and poorly done that they blend into each other, so where there are two shades of green, you see one dark shade. Adding insult to all this, there are no upper surface schemes at all, only side profiles. No way of knowing if aircraft X had insignia on both wing surfaces or just the top or just the bottom or only on the right, etc. No background information is provided with the schemes. Never mind what the pattern might be. Basically, you are given a sheet of decals and told to do your own research.

Despite my disappointment, I will end up using the decals as there are a lot of very nice options on it. However, it is not a sheet that I can easily recommend to you. You now know what is missing from it and what you'll have to do to make a proper replica so the choice is yours.

November 2013

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