It is not
unusual for decal makers to duplicate sheets in several scales, especially if
there are good kits for it. This is the
first sheet from WernersWings and they have started with a good one. As you may
know, the owner, Floyd Werner flew these helos during Desert Storm and after so
it is a natural that this would be their first sheet. The AH-1F (which was the
AH-1S before the Army started running out of suffixes for it) has been kitted by
Hasegawa and Hobby Boss, to name a couple, in this scale.
The sheet covers no fewer than 13 helos, the same number as on the 1/48 sheet, most of them with a shark mouth.
The predominant color for these is Army Helo Drab, though
some are in a sand scheme of FS 3371 for which I'm not sure if there is a ready
mixed paint. The vast majority of these schemes is from Operation Desert
Shield/Desert Storm in early 1991, so I'll only note those that are not part of
the first Gulf War. As to the decals themselves,
the printing is done by Cartograf, ensuring that you have the best available.
Forgive me for not showing all 13 profiles, but you can see them at the
manufacturers web site if so inclined.
First
up is Floyd Werner's white shark mouth painted 'Vicious Vonnie' from C troop,
1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry division.
Second is 'Betsy' also from the same unit at the same time.
In sand is 'Sand Shark' from the 2nd Aviation Brigade, 2nd
Armored Cavalry Regiment.
'Wild Thing' is in a two tone sand scheme with no shark mouth
from N Troop, 2nd Aviation Brigade, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment.
The fifth option is also sand colored with no shark mouth
named 'Jack Daniels Brand Old #7' from the
2nd Aviation Brigade, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment.
Moving to Bosnia in 1996 is the last AH-1F to fly in Europe
and also piloted by Floyd Werner with IFOR, E troop, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry
Regiment, 1st Armored Division.
Next is another aircraft flown by Floyd Werner when with
E troop, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Division. This was
the last Cobra to be crashed in Europe and it carried a nice red and white shark
mouth.
Other shark mouth and OD helos include two options for
'Venom'; another nice red and white shark mouthed version in Germany; 'The
Road Warrior from 10th Mountain division in Somalia; one painted with a sand
slurry; another with a three tone scheme photographed at Fort Rucker; and
finally another sand colored and unnamed helo from Desert Storm.
Needless to say, there are enough options to make just about
anyone happy. An additional sheet includes a variety of stencils and other data
markings as well as a run of serials in case you wish to model something not on
the sheet. From the looks of it, you can do at least three of the options with
this sheet alone.
The set comes with four pages of full color painting and
placement guides. There is also a separate data and stencil guide along with a
CD that includes photos of all of the markings options in the set. This CD has
detail images as well that makes this an excellent set of markings and if you
are a helo fan, then you should seriously consider getting this one.
April 2010