Impact Decals has released their fifth sheet and this one continues from previous sheets on the subject. This time, it concentrates on the A-4 and A-6 aircraft flown by the unit from 1959 to 1971, including operations in Vietnam. All planes on this sheet are in the standard light gull grey over white camouflage scheme. As a note, this would be a matte or semi-matte finish as the gloss polyurethane camo did not come into widespread use until around 1971/72.  

The first option is an A4D-2 (A-4B) from 1959. This aircraft is depicted as it was aboard the USS Essex at that time. Note that the green tail stripes are individual in order to best fit the corrugations of the rudder on this and the following scheme.

The A-4C is from their time at Chu Lai in Vietnam while with MAG-12 in 1965. As with the other Skyhawk, the anti-glare panel will need painted or the decal from the kit (if there is one) will work. For both of these Skyhawk kits, the Hasegawa offering is the one to use.

The initial A-6 is from 1966 at MCAS Cherry point. This aircraft has the black nose and bare metal speed brakes used by the A-6A when it first came out.

The other option is an A-6A from 1971 when the unit was based at DaNang in Vietnam. This has the later tan radome. The rudder will need to be painted blue prior to applying the decal. The recommended kit is from Revell/Monogram and some backdating of that kit will be needed to do a proper A model, so check your references.

The decals themselves are very nicely done by Microscale with all the markings in register and crisply printed.

August 2009

Review sheet courtesy of www.impacthobbydecals.com where you can order your copy.

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

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