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First Look Review
172
Naval T-Birds
Naval T-Birds
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by: Rowan Baylis [ MERLIN ]

Iliad Design have re-released their popular set of 1:72 decals for the Lockheed TV-2 (the US Navy’s designation for the T-33). The sheet was first reviewed by Jessie_C HERE back in 2014 and the current reprint appears unchanged.

Markings are included for 5 aircraft:
1. TV-2 s/n 138977, NAS Glenview
2. TV-2 drone controller s/n 131885, GMGRU-1, 1959
3. TV-2 s/n 131777, Marine Air Squadron 32
4. TV-2 s/n 137952, Naval Air Training Unit, NAS Glynco, Georgia
5. TV-2 s/n 141532, US Marines, MCAS El Toro, 1961

Once again the decals look superb quality, with correctly muted Insignia Red and Blue (unlike the vivid interpretation on many kit decal sheets). The glossy items are beautifully thin, and the registration is pin sharp on the sample sheet. Excess carrier film is kept to a minimum, trimmed tightly around national insignia and extended to keep grouped elements together.

National insignia and individual markings are provided for all 5 colour schemes, but you’ll need to do a bit of careful rationing with the stencil markings, so it’s a shame there wasn’t a tad more room to squeeze in more.

Accompanying the decals is a full-colour sheet of instructions, with shaded profiles and simpler plan views. Jessie commented that the way Iliad Design show “ghost” markings for what’s on the underside could be confusing for beginners and I see what she means - it does the job, but it’s not as instantly clear as separate top/bottom views.

The colour schemes themselves offer a great variety of finishes, from n/m through Gray to hi-vis Red Orange/White and the spectacular multi-coloured drone controller.

Conclusion
The Shooting Star is a perennial modelling favourite and it’s great to see this set of markings make a very welcome return. It’s certainly tempted to take a fresh look at Platz’s really neat T-33 which always cried out for fresh markings to appeal to a wider market worldwide. If you’re looking to build a US T-Bird with an extra twist of the unusual, this could be just the set of decals for you.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE
SUMMARY
Highs: Excellent quality decals for some really eye-catching Navy Shooting Stars.
Lows: None really - but it's a shame there wasn't room for a few more stencil markings on the sheet, because the schemes are so good, you want to build them all.
Verdict: This is the perfect sheet if you're looking for some eye-catching markings for US Navy Shooting Stars.
Percentage Rating
90%
  Scale: 1:72
  Mfg. ID: 72012
  Suggested Retail: $12.00
  PUBLISHED: Jul 09, 2019
  NATIONALITY: United States
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 88.37%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 93.00%

Our Thanks to Iliad Design!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Rowan Baylis (Merlin)
FROM: NO REGIONAL SELECTED, UNITED KINGDOM

I've been modelling for about 40 years, on and off. While I'm happy to build anything, my interests lie primarily in 1/48 scale aircraft. I mostly concentrate on WW2 subjects, although I'm also interested in WW1, Golden Age aviation and the early Jet Age - and have even been known to build the occas...

Copyright ©2021 text by Rowan Baylis [ MERLIN ]. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AeroScale. All rights reserved.



Comments

I thought that looked a bit familiar. I'm glad it was successful enough to warrant a reprint.
JUL 09, 2019 - 07:52 AM
Hi Jessie Yep - I was merrily blocking out my review when I thought "Haven't we covered this already?" and I found you'd picked up on pretty much the same points that I was trying to describe. Hopefully I've given you the kudos in the re-review. All the best Rowan
JUL 09, 2019 - 08:46 AM
It would have been nice if they had read my review and put more stencils in this print, but such is life.
JUL 09, 2019 - 10:52 AM
   
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