We can thank Starfighter Decals for providing yet another fine sheet for a kit that really needs one. In this case it is the Hasegawa SOC Seagull. This particular sheet concentrates on wartime Seagulls and offers markings for six different aircraft. Most of the options are painted in USN Blue-Grey over Light Grey 602.

Two of the planes are in the early war scheme with the red dot center insignia and red/white rudder stripes. One is on floats and this is an aircraft from VCS-8 which was aboard the USS Philadelphia in April of 1942. The other is on wheels and is with VS-201 aboard the USS Long island in April of 1942.

Two of the options are also in the early war scheme with the red dot center insignia, but without the rudder stripes. These are planes from VCS-5 which were aboard the USS Northampton on 7 December, 1941. These planes were sent to scout for the Japanese after the initial attack on Pearl Harbor and were discovered by an A6M2. In the ensuing combat, the A6M was last seen smoking as it headed away.

Next is a plane from VCS-7 aboard the USS Tuscaloosa in 1942. It was photographed having new insignia painted on the plane without the red dot center. This option is on floats.

The last option is in the tri-color scheme aboard the USS Charger in early 1944. Even the struts are in two shades. This aircraft is shown on wheels. As a note, it would not be incorrect to model the 'floated' planes on wheels as they often reverted to wheels when their home ship pulled into its home port for any extended time.

The decals are superbly printed and provide enough insignia to build four of the options. The sheet comes with full color placement instructions

Thanks to www.starfighter-decals.com for the review sample. Get yours direct from the link.

July 2014

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