History

After the cancellation of the Avro CF-105 Arrow, the RCAF needed to search for an alternative aircraft to meet their requirement for a supersonic air defence interceptor. After reviewing the available candidates, the F-101 Voodoo was selected, and 66 were purchased from the USAF. Although it never had to fire a shot in anger, the Voodoo protected Canada from its entry into service in 1961 through to retirement in 1984.

In 1977 409 Squadron started the RCAF's tradition of outrageously colourful paint jobs with their first Hawk One aircraft, painted to carry the Squadron Standard to its dedication ceremony. With the retirement of the Voodoo fleet in 1984, each operational squadron chose a special paint scheme to be applied to one of their aircraft to commemorate their service with the RCAF. 414's all-black “Electric Voodoo” was not a special commemorative scheme, but was chosen to make the aircraft more visible and distinctive during training exercises. The fact that an all-black Voodoo with low-visibility tactical markings looks quite menacing was not a factor in the decision at all.

First Impressions

This decal represents all four of the most colourful Voodoos to serve in the RCAF.
409 Squadron's Hawk One Canada in light blue and black;
414 Squadron's Electric Voodoo in overall gloss black;
416 Squadron's Lynx Squadron Canada in overall white with black highlights;
425 Squadron's Alouette Un/Lark One Canada in blue and red.

Each scheme is offered with all the markings needed to do the model, stencils and placards as well as the major markings of the colour scheme.

The printing is very sharp and the carrier film is as limited as possible, most often not extending past the printed outline of the marking. The decals look very thin. These are traditional silk-screen printing, not ALPS nor laser printed.

decal sheets

There are seven sheets plus an addendum.

The first sheet contains the windscreen and canopy seals which are so prominent on the Voodoo. Four complete sets are provided.

409's Hawk One is featured on one sheet by itself. Also on this sheet are the walkway panels for the EF-101 and red turbine warning stripes for the 414 and 416 aircraft.

414 and 416 share the next sheet since the number of printed elements on each scheme is relatively small.

The lion's share of this set is reserved for 415's Alouette. Two complete decal sets on two sheets are offered, with the explanation that the feather decals are rather fragile, so the spare set is included. There is also a small addendum sheet with two swatches of feathers.

instruction sheets

The instructions come on six 8 1/2 X 11 sheets printed in full colour. 4 sheets feature complete 4 view drawings of each of the schemes while the cover sheet shows the placement of the canopy seals and offers general instructions on using the decals. The sheets are printed double-sided, which makes sharing the decals for a group build a trifle challenging. The 4-view for the Electric Voodoo shows the overall black on one side view only, otherwise it is printed in white. This may be to allow for the smaller markings to be more visible but it may be confusing for an inexperienced modeller. Also indicated in this sheet are the numerous small antennae used in the EW equipment. The EF-101 was the only Canadian Voodoo to be equipped with low-voltage formation “slime lights” (which are misspelled as “slim lights”). Decals are provided. While on the subject of the formation lights, the general instructions mention these, and several other small differences between RCAF and USAF Voodoos which should be addressed during construction.

The instruction sheet mentions that the decals may be harmed by strong setting solutions. I did a test using portions of set #48007 and my poor old knocked-about Revell 1/72 Voodoo which shows that used carefully, Solvaset did not damage the decal, and that used without any setting solution at all, the decal still conforms to the moulded detail.

the real thing

All four Voodoo colour birds in formation on the occasion of the Voodoo's retirement. From top to bottom: Hawk One Canada, Lynx Squadron Canada, Alouette Un/Lark One Canada and the Electric Voodoo

conclusion

This is not the first time that some of these markings have been available to the modeller.
Monogram offered the 416 aircraft in the mid 1908s and 409's Hawk One has been available from Superscale and CanMilAir offer the 409, 414 and 416 schemes. It is, however, the first time that I've seen the very complicated 425 scheme available in any scale.

All Canuck Models decal sheets and accessories are available for purchase directly from the manufacturer at the Canuck Model Products website.

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