Xtradecal X32028: BAe Hawk T.1 (grey schemes)

This second Hawk sheet covers the grey period of RAF Hawk use. Now I should mention that the the change-over was not instantaneous with aircraft only being repainted during major overhauls. One of the things most will notice is that the insignia are the much smaller pale red/blue variety. Thanks to that, there are enough insignia and fin flashes for two complete aircraft. The greys themselves are medium sea grey upper and barley grey undersides. The sheet provides Xtracolor and Xtracryic color options. These colors are also available in other paint lines in case the ones listed are not locally available.

The sheet covers sixteen different marking schemes, a number of them special schemes as the Hawk fin seems to be perfect for this sort of thing.

Starting from the far left and working down the page we have:

79 Sq, 1 TWU, July 1985; 74 Sq, 4 FTS, July 1994; a black finned 74 Sq, 4 FTS plane also from July 1994 and a 208 Sq, 4 FTS plane from June 1996. I should take the time to point out that all these various squadrons are what are known as reserve units that would be called into action in times of war. It is also the only way that some famous unit histories are kept alive, thanks to the severe drawdown of RAF forces over the years. These reserve units are either from the 4th and 7th Flight Training Squadron or 1 and 2 Tactical Weapons Unit.

Moving on we have a black finned 234 Sq, 1 TWU plane from 1992; a standard 234 Sq, 1 TWU plane from 1989; a light blue finned 19 Sq, 7 FTS aircraft from 1992, and a black finned 63 Sq, 2 TWU/7FTS plane from 1991.

Next page has a roundel blue finned plane from 92 Sq, 2 TWU/7FTS in 1992; a 100Sq hawk from 1994; another roundel blue fin plane from 151 Sq, 2 TWU in 1990; and a black tailed 151 Sq, 2TWU/7FTS plane from 1991.

Finally, another black tail on a 63 Sq, 7 FTS plane in 1992; a standard 63 Sq, 2 TWU plane from 1990; a black tailed 63 Sq, 2 TWU anniverary plane from 1990; and finally an oxford blue finned 151 Sq, 2 TWU/7FTS plane form 1992.

Now those are a ton of options. The decals themselves are superbly printed and Xtradecal provides a full stencil sheet in X32031 or you can use the kit stencils.

Review copy courtesy of www.hannants.co.uk where you can get your sheet and thousands of other kits and accessories.

January 2012

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