W & D Decals 48001: F-16N Viper
Units: See review

Price

$

Reviewer:

Scott Van Aken

Note: Sheet is 1/48 for any appropriate F-16C/D kit

Here is a very well done sheet from W&D Studio out of Taipei, Taiwan. This sheet covers USN Aggressor F-16s from a variety of units. These planes were specially built for the Navy and were all small mouth F-16s using the F-110-GE-100 engine. As they were not to be used in combat, they did away with many of the systems used in standard F-16C/D versions including the gun and the radar system. Many of these planes carried special targeting pods on the underside of the intake.

The following aircraft are included on the sheet:

F-16N 163570 from VF-45
TF-61N 163281 also from VF-45 but carrying the later tail marking.

F-16N 163572 from VF-45 with the unit name in red on the ventral strake
F-16N 163577 from VF-43

F-16N 163273 from NFWS (Top Gun)
F-16N 163277 from VF-126
F-16N 163566 from VF-126. This latter plane is not shown but has the later scheme that includes more blues .

All of the aircraft save the last are in the original 'glop' scheme (as shown above) with which the aircraft were delivered. Both photos copyright Scott Van Aken and may not be reprinted without express permission.

The decals themselves are glossy and superbly printed with no registration errors. There are data markings for two aircraft and a variety of insignia colors. The full color four view painting and placement instructions provide the correct FS 595 color references and there is a full data placement guide. Note that the colors in the painting guide are not the same as the callouts to make it easier to see the demarcation lines between each shade.

The set includes resin targeting pods plus a small addendum sheet. Also included are the excellent W&D stainless steel pitot and AOA probes.

In all, an outstanding sheet that no aggressor or F-16 fan should be without.

January 2012

Review sheet courtesy of http://www.thepmw.com.

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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