Wolfpak Decals 72-062: Lightning's Strike

PRICE:

$17.00 SRP

UNITS:

See Review

REVIEW  :

Scott Van Aken

NOTES:

 

This next Wolfpak decal sheet is another nice selection of jets, including multiple options for the F-35A . There are a total of nine different options on this sheet.

First up is an F-16CM from the 179FIS, Minnesota ANG when based in Afghanistan during 2012. You will notice that this aircraft is in the new dark grey scheme. This color does not appear to have an FS 595 reference number yet, but is often described as between FS 36118 and 36081. It also has a slightly metallic sheen to it and is the same shade as is applied to the F-35. The 179FIS performs the Wild Weasel role and it is possible that all F-16CMs will be painted in this shade. For now, you'll have to mix the colors.

Next is an F-104A with the 83rd FIS when based in Taiwan during 1958.

There are three F-35A units on this sheet. The first one contains a plane from the 422 TES and 31 TES of the 53rd Wing from early 2013. These are test units.

Being demoted from F-117A to the MQ-1 drone is the 6RS, 49 WG, at Holloman AFB in late 2012.

The next F-35 pair are from the 33rd Wing with one plane being the wing commander and the other the boss plane of the 58 FS. This will be the USAF training wing for the F-35.

Next is a YF-5A as used by the Army when looking for a lightweight ground attack aircraft. This was before the USAF userped the Army in terms of fixed wing transport and strike aircraft. This aircraft is in overall painted aluminum with daglo bits on the nose and wings.

An F-4C is next with the 45 TFS based in Thailand in 1965. This is the first official USAF MiG killer. In the early scheme of light gull grey over white. Your editor built this plane in 1/48 scale about 6 years ago using the Hasegawa kit.

The last option is another F-35 and is not shown in the cover but is an Edwards AFB based plane from the 461 FLTS in early 2013. Those wondering about kits will recall that there is an Italeri kit out there that is probably a prototype. Supposedly they will be releasing a production kit in the next few months.

The instruction sheet for this set is the best in the business when it comes to background information and what may be needed to accurately depict the aircraft being modeled. In addition to the actual placement profiles, there are several additional pages of information that include a history of the type,  kits and update bits for these schemes,  as well as load-out information, and any changes needed to properly model the aircraft in question, assuring you of the most accurate model you can have. A listing of available kits is also included.

As with the previous sheets, these are superbly printed by Fantasy Printshop and without any registration problems. If you have not yet treated yourself to some of the best researched decals around, you should.

Thanks to WolfPak Decals for the review sample.

September 2013

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