One of the biggest problems with the sole kit available for this aircraft in 1/72, the Airfix F2H-2 Banshee, is that there is darn little in the way of aftermarket stuff. Frankly, to my knowledge, this decal sheet is pretty much it. It is a shame, too, as the Airfix or MPC Banshee is really a very nice kit and one of Airfix's better molds.

There are three aircraft on the sheet and the sheet provides complete insignia and wing walk areas for all three subjects. All of these Korean war era planes are painted in overall gloss sea blue, which makes painting a rather simple matter!

What is not provided by the decal sheet are all the units these planes represent. Not very good research if you ask me.

Digging through Squadron's USN Aircraft Carrier Air Units Vol 1 and USN/USMC over Korea, I was able to identify the units in question.

First is F/116 with the yellow lightning bolts. This one was easy as it is marked on the fuselage as VF-22.

Next is T/116 of the Red Rippers. Fortunately, VF-11 has been the Red Rippers for such a long time, that this wasn't much of a challenge either. If you want to do a history of the Red Rippers, you only need to buy the Hobbycraft F2H-3/4 kit and you'll get markings for that unit with the kit. For you that don't know, there is a huge difference between the -2 and -3 Banshee so you really cannot backdate the Hobbycraft kit. Sorry.

Finally is the scheme that I used on my most recent Banshee of about 6-7 years ago and that is P/214 of VF-62. This is arguably the most colorful of the three schemes with its tank bands and striped tail.

If you have an Airfix Banshee and can find this sheet, go for it. You won't be sorry.

Review copy courtesy of me and my wallet.

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