The COD or Carrier On-board Delivery aircraft is very important to fleet operations. These aircraft are used to fly in parts, personnel, and most importantly, the mail to the task group. Over the last thirty years there have basically been three aircraft types that have performed this function, the C-1, US-3A, and the C-2. The latter is the only one still performing this mission as the other two were retired about 20 and 10 years back respectively. When it comes to kits, only a vacuform conversion in 1/72 has previously been available. Now with the new Kinetic kit, we have one in 1/48 and this is the first aftermarket sheet I have seen for it.

Caracal Models has chosen some of the most colorful options to use on this sheet and I know it will be quite welcome to those who have bought the kit. Two of the options are for the eight bladed prop version and two for the older four blade propeller. All four options are a base of white over light gull grey and these colors are gloss.

The three options with the red and yellow upper tails are for aircraft from VRC-40, the east coast VRC unit. One of these options is their 40th anniversary scheme and colorful to the max with a yellow forward fuselage with red sunburst on the nose. The lower outer fin is usually painted black to cover up the exhaust stains while on the special scheme plane, this is a light blue.

The fourth option is for the CAG-5 based VRC-30 det 5 aircraft. This has a dark red sunburst on the upper half of the outer fins. There is a note that VRC-40 planes generally do not have the modex on the flaps, but these have been included if you want to use them.

The decals are superbly printed by Cartograf and quite vibrant in color. A full stencil suite is included as are the unique markings; enough to do a single subject.

In all it is a superlative sheet for the new Kinetic kit and one that I think you should seriously consider if building this kit.

You can get this sheet direct from http://www.caracalmodels.com/cd48012.html.

March 2012

Thanks to www.caracalmodels.com for the review sheet. Get yours today from the link or have your local shop order it for you.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and fairly quickly, please contact the editor or see other details in the Note to Contributors.

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