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RAAF Hawk 127 Decals

 

 

Aussie Decals

 

S u m m a r y
Catalogue Number: A72033
A48024
Scale: 1/72 and 1/48
Contents and Media: Two small decal sheets, 1 instruction sheet
Price: AUD$7.90 (approx USD$4.00)
Review Type: First Look
Advantages: Good range of subjects; timely release for recent Italeri 1/72 scale kit and introduction of new RAAF trainer; good registration; much better than Italeri's bogus Aussie Roo roundels; includes stencil detail; useful instructions
Disadvantages: No Hawk 127 option in 1/48 scale (at least we have the decals!); spacing of serials a little far apart.
Recommendation: Recommended for anyone wanting to build an Aussie Hawk


Reviewed by Brett Green

 

F i r s t   L o o k

 

Aussie Decals latest releases, RAAF Hawk 127LIF in 1/72 and 1/48, are very timely from two points of view. Firstly due to the short time since the introduction of the new type to the RAAF, and secondly due to the very recent release of the Italeri 1/72 scale Hawk Mk.100.

The 1/72 Hawk release includes one small decal sheet with 7 sets of two serials, four low-viz grey RAAF roundels, stencils and strip formation lights. These are appropriate for all aircraft in service with 76 and 79 Sqns RAAF in January 2001. Red, white and blue fin flashes were added to these aircraft in February 2001. A set of fin flashes is supplied to permit more recent depiction of these Aussie Hawks. A personal marking for Flt. Lt. Benjamin "Sleaze" Sleeman's A27-12 is also provided.

The roundels and stencils look terrific despite their tiny size in 1/72 scale. The Blue-Grey serials look good too, but the spacing between the characters may be slightly too wide.

Registration, crispness and colour saturation looks perfect. However, Aussie Decals have advised that they were unhappy with the Grey FS 36375 as printed on the main sheets even though the colour matched the colour fan. They have therefore printed a supplementary sheet with new roundels and stencils. These are a shade or two lighter than the original. The modeller may choose to use the colour they prefer.

Modellers who bought the original release may obtain the supplementary sheet from the dealer where they purchased the original decals. 

A single sheet of instructions provides two side profiles and top view in black and white. These are quite adequate to demonstrate the camouflage pattern and the location of roundels and other markings, especially as the camouflage scheme and most of the markings are grey anyway!

The Italeri kit offers an Australian option on their decal sheet, but the markings are completely wrong - Aussie Decals presents the only accurate way to finish your RAAF Hawk 127LIF. 

This is a small but attractive release that will really appeal to anyone who models RAAF aircraft.

Recommended.

Thanks to Peter from Aussie Decals for the review sample.

Aussie Decals are available at hobby shops and retailers including Snowy Mountains Models

Review Copyright © 2001 by Brett Green
This Page Created on 01 June, 2001
Last updated 22 July, 2003

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