Afterburner Decals

1/48 F-16 Test Vipers decal sheet

product # AD 48-026

Review by Steve Bamford on May 15 2008

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This new decal sheet from Afterburner Decals includes markings for 8 different 1/48 F-16 Test Vipers from the Air Warfare Center and the 85th Test & Evaluation Squadron and the 422nd Test & Evaluation Squadron including 7 single seaters and 1 two seater.  

The first aircraft is a F-16CG CCIP Block 42 88-0442 as flown by the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center Commander in 2007.  The paint scheme for this aircraft is the standard F-16 2 tone grey scheme of FS 36270 and FS 36118 with a  black and yellow checkered fin flash at the top of the tail.  There is artwork on the rear fuselage of an outline of the state of Nevada. 

The second aircraft is a F-16CG CCIP Block 42 88-0442 in 2005.  The paint scheme for this aircraft is the standard F-16 2 tone grey scheme of FS 36270 and FS 36118 with a  black and blue checkered fin flash at the top of the tail.  There is artwork on the rear fuselage of an outline of the state of Nevada with Marvin the Martian.  

The third aircraft is a F-16CJ CCIP Block 50 97-0109 as flown by the 53rd Wing Commander in 2003.  The paint scheme for this aircraft is the standard F-16 2 tone grey scheme of FS 36270 and FS 36118 with a  black and white checkered fin flash at the top of the tail.  There is artwork on the rear fuselage of an outline of an F-16.   

The fourth aircraft is a F-16CJ CCIP Block 52 91-0374 as flown by the 53rd Test & Evaluation Group Commander in 2003.  The paint scheme for this aircraft is the standard F-16 2 tone grey scheme of FS 36270 and FS 36118 with a  black and blue checkered fin flash at the top of the tail.  There is artwork on the rear fuselage of an outline of the state of Nevada with Marvin the Martian.   

The fifth aircraft is a F-16CJ CCIP Block 50 98-0005 as flown by the 85th Test & Evaluation Squadron Commander in 2007 "Have Glass Finish".  The paint scheme for this aircraft is the standard F-16 2 tone grey scheme of FS 36270 and FS 36118 with a  black and white checkered fin flash at the top of the tail.  There is artwork on the rear fuselage of an outline of "Calvin" from the Calvin and Hobbs comic strip.   

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

The sixth aircraft is a F-16CJ CCIP Block 50 97-0106 as flown by the 85th Test & Evaluation Squadron Commander in 2006 "Have Glass Finish".  The paint scheme for this aircraft is the standard F-16 2 tone grey scheme of FS 36270 and FS 36118 with a  black and white checkered fin flash at the top of the tail.  There is artwork on the rear fuselage of an outline of "Calvin" from the Calvin and Hobbs comic strip.   

The seventh aircraft is a F-16CG CCIP Block 42 88-0423 as flown by the 422nd Test & Evaluation Squadron Commander in 2007.  The paint scheme for this aircraft is the standard F-16 2 tone grey scheme of FS 36270 and FS 36118 with a  black and blue checkered fin flash at the top of the tail.  There is artwork on the rear fuselage of an outline of an F-16.   

The eigth aircraft is a F-16DJ CCIP Block 50 90-0841 in 2007.  The paint scheme for this aircraft is the standard F-16 2 tone grey scheme of FS 36270 and FS 36118 with a  black and white checkered fin flash at the top of the tail.  There is artwork on the rear fuselage of an outline of "Calvin" from the Calvin and Hobbs comic strip.   

The instructions are clear and include 2 side views of each aircraft as well as a top and bottom view showing F-16 camo layout.  The decals are beautifully printed on 2 decal sheets.  Two complete set of stencils are included on this decal sheet.  The instruction sheets also include plenty of info about weapons colours.

These Test Vipers are always an interesting subject and often overlooked so this sheet is a welcomed sight.

Steve

I would like to thank Afterburner Decals for providing me with this review sample.

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford