The Brief

Inside the A4 sized zip lock bag is an A5 full sized instruction booklet and an A4 sized decal sheet jam packed with decals. There is also a small errata sheet with corrected codes for one of the Gazelles. The decals are also available in 1:72 scale.

The Instructions

The instructions consist of 12 pages with the front cover being a header and the back page covering the how to use guide and the copyright information. The middle page has a couple of photos of two of the subjects covered. There is also an insert page to cover a mistake made on the Sea Vixen scheme (see photo).

Each scheme gets its own page and is covered by a 4 or 5 view layout with notes, lists of recommended kits in 1/72 and 1/48, lists of recommended accessories again in both 1/72 and 1/48 scales. Colour callouts are covered by name, BS, FS, Humbrol, Xtracolour, Xtracrylic, Lifecolor and ModelMaster numbers where applicable.

The Markings

Scheme 1) Hawker Seahawk FB.3 ‘The Red Devils’ 738 NAS, RNAS Lossiemouth 1957. This aircraft is finished in all over red with Royal Navy below the wings in white; serials are supplied for all the aircraft in the team, so it’s your choice.

Scheme 2) Hawker Seahawk F.1 WF182 ‘101/O’ 898 NAS, RNAS Brawdy 1953-54. This aircraft is finished in a more normal Extra Dark Sea Grey over Sky scheme with gold and blue nose art.

Scheme 3) Supermarine Scimitar F.1 XD219 ‘617’ 736 NAS, RNAS Lossiemouth SBAC show Farnborough September 1962. This aircraft is in the normal for its time EDSG over white scheme with blue lightning flash on the fin.

Scheme 4) Hawker Hunter GA.11 XF291 ‘789/BY’ 798 NAS, Flown by the team leader of ‘The Rough Diamonds’ RNAS Brawdy 1969. EDSG over white with fluorescent red-orange nose, wing tips and spine.

Scheme 5) Aerospatiale Gazelle HT.2 XX397 ‘43’ of ‘The Sharks’ 705 NAS, RNAS Culdrose 1977. Finished in fluorescent red-orange over Light Aircraft Grey with black tail.

Scheme 6) Supermarine Scimitar F.1 XD248 ‘195’ 807 NAS, HMS Ark Royal SBAC show Farnborough 1959. EDSG over white with a scimitar on the fin.

Scheme 7) Blackburn Buccaneer S.2 XV344 ‘325’ of ‘Phoenix Five’ 809 NAS, RNAS Lossiemouth 1968. Finished in overall EDSG with a yellow and red phoenix on the fin.

Scheme 8) De Havilland Sea Vixen FAW.2 XN687 ‘307/VL’ of ‘Simons Sircus’ 892 NAS, RNAS Yeovilton 1968. Finished in EDSG over white with red tips on the under wing drop tanks.

Scheme 9) Aerospatiale Gazelle HT.2 XZ938 ‘45’ of ‘The Sharks’ 705 NAS, RNAS Culdrose 1990. Finished in red over white with the tail also in white.

The Decals

These appear to be in prefect register with nice bright colours. The only stencils included seem to be where they differ from the kit supplied items. These decals are printed by Fantasy Printshop.

In Conclusion

Welcome addition for fans of both the Fleet Air Arm and Aerobatic teams or for those wanting something different.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.