Leading Edge Models out of
Calgary has a history of producing highly accurate decals for some of the more
colourful CF-18 Demo Hornets, including the 20th Anniversary scheme celebrating
20 Years of Hornet service with the Canadian Forces. Once again, Leading
Edge has provided us with another striking Hornet special scheme, but this time,
the subject matter isn't Canadian at all.
Leading Edge has released a great sheet for the Royal Australian Air Force 20th
Anniversary F/A-18 Hornet in both 72nd and 48th scale, and as usual, the decal
sheet is up to the high standards we have come to expect from Dave at Leading
Edge.
In this set you get 4 sheets of decals which include:
-squadron badges for all RAAF Hornet squadrons
-upper and lower wing roundels along with extra decals for dropped flaps...only
present on the Leading Edge sheet
-formation light strips
-upper fuselage walkways
-decals for markings on the pilots helmet
-decals for the training ASRAAM missiles included with set
complete data for this particular aircraft. Some of the data is printed in
place over specific decals, again, saving time and assuring their proper
placement on the model.
All of the data is clear and legible and the decals in my set were in perfect
register.
The set also includes some resin parts, again, only available with the Leading
Edge sheet, which includes:
-72nd scale: 2 resin ASRAAMS and two swept back VHF/UHF antennas
-48th scale: 2 resin ASRAAMS, two swept back VHF/UHF antennas and a set of
resin IFF antennas (with extras incase you lose one or two)
Above all, I would highly recommend the Leading Edge sheet. It is well
thought out in its design and layout, and was put together with the modeller in
mind with the inclusion of the formation lights, missile markings, walkways and
the markings for the pilots helmet. Plus, the addition of the resin parts is
nice and something you don't see with other decals all that often. The
sheet will fit the Hasegawa kits in 72nd and 48th, as well as the 48th Revell
Hornet, but some minor trimming will be needed for this kit, thus giving the
potential modeller a couple of different kit options.
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So, in conclusion,
Leading Edge has delivered once again. This is one scheme you don't want
to miss out on, plus, the departure from Canadian subject matter is refreshing.
Run out to your local hobbyshop now and pick up a set, or visit the Leading Edge
website at www.lemdecal.com and order
directly from Leading Edge. A 32nd scale sheet should be available in the
near future.
My thanks to Dave Koss for the review sample he sent me. Now I gotta buy
yet another Hornet (oh...don't look so suprised!)....so look for a build article
sometime soon.
Colin
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