Set number 64 is in 1/144 scale and covers the ubiquitous C-130 as used by Middle East Air Forces. I'm going to depart from the review just for a moment. Did you even wonder what happened to the Near East? Back in the 1800s, there was one and it was the area that is now occupied by Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt and so on. The Middle East was Iran, Afghanistan, India and that area, while the Far East was the region of Japan, China and so on. The British wanted to move their Middle East Army HQ out of India and to Egypt, so with a stroke of the pen, the Near East ceased to exist and the Middle East move east of India. Your trivia input for the day.

Getting back to this fine sheet. In 1/144 there are basically two kits available. One is the very old Revell kit which is probably something other than 1/144 but close enough. The other is the excellent newer Minicraft kit and most will choose that one for this project.

In addition to Israel, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Libya (newer insignia), and the UAE are covered. These planes are almost all C-130H versions and for a few of them, both full color and newer low viz schemes are offered. The Israeli C-130s are provided in the very old SEA scheme, a newer standard desert scheme and the new all grey option. I know that there was at least one in unpainted metal as well.

Isradecals has enough data stencils to do three complete aircraft and combining the insignia with kit markings can give you even more to add to your collection. The decals themselves are superbly printed in the Czech Republic and free from registration glitches. You get 1.5 sheets to go along with the 8 page full color markings placement instructions. It is this attention to detail that makes Isradecals a world-class provider of markings for our models.

As with all of IsraDecal's products, this one is highly recommended.

November 2008

Review sheet courtesy of and available from various retailers around the world as well as direct from their website (click on the logo).

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

Back to the Decal Review Index