Sky Decal

1/72 IAF Helicopters decal sheet

Product # 20

Product Article by Yoav Efrati on Sept 16  2004

 

 

 

     Sky’s Decals latest series of releases in 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32 scale is their most ambitious decal series to date. Extensive colors, extremely fine line art and a 6 page instructions sheet take Sky’s Decals latest effort to new heights. Sky’s Decal latest sheet enables IAF fans to replicate all the helicopter types that have been taking effort in the fight against suicide bombers since Antifadah El Aqsa started in September 2000. Being primarily a 1/72 modeler, I applaud Sami Dekel’s efforts in presenting his latest helicopter sheet in 1/72 scale and it is this sheet which I received for review.

    The most prominent decal art on this sheet is the black snake of the IAF’s second cobra squadron. This motif came about at the height of the Antifadah, when in early 2003 the second cobra squadron upped their sister squadron’s smaller sand snake with an f.s.34031 black green snake applied along the entire length of the fuselage. Both cobra snake options are provided along with full markings to do all versions of the Cobra used by the IAF.

   Another first for this release is the availability of UH-60 Blackhawk “Owl” silhouette vertical fin markings and current medium helicopter transport squadron markings enabling the modeler to do any one of three versions of the Blackhawk operated by the IAF, including the latest beige and brown over gray scheme. During the Anitifadah years, the Blackhawk phased out the Bell 212 and as such full markings are provided on the sheet to do any Bell 212 (UH-1N) operated by the IAF since their entry into service in the early 1980’s. Since these markings are similar to those applied to the Bell 205 (UH-1D) full markings for these helicopters are provided as well.

     Two pairs of Apache squadron insignia are provided, with flare dispensers and numerical fronts that enable the modeler to do all versions of the Apache, including the new beige and brown over gray scheme. No less active in the chase after suicide bombers were IAF Bell 206 Jet Ranger helicopters. For the first time one can accurately do the Bell 206 in current Antifadah markings with chaff dispensers revealed that lie - atop the IAF insignia. As with the other subjects on this sheet, full marking options are provided to do any Bell 206 one wishes from their initial entry into service in 1973 till today. Rounding off the sheet are markings for the MD500 helicopter that can be build up in any of the three squadron markings the helicopter operated.

     The six page instructions are printed in black and white, providing complete painting and markings information for all the helicopter variants. A nice feature is the addition of close up photos of external details that make the IAF operated helicopters unique. Complete color information is provided in f.s.595 numbers as well as Xtracolor and Humbrol equivalents.

     The new Sky’s Decal helicopters release it their best ever and is a true inspiration to modelers interested in the IAF. This sheet will be used for several articles in the not too distant future.

Yoav

Photos and text © by Yoav Efrati