Leading Edge Models

1/72 CF-18 "Nightmare 01" decal sheet

product # 72-060

Review by Steve Bamford on Sept 12 2008

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This new decal sheet from Leading Edge Models includes markings for one specially painted CAF CF-18 "Nightmare 01" aircraft #761 with 409 Squadron.  

This CF-18 is with 409 Squadron "Nighthawks" Squadron is a all-weather fighter squadron with the motto "Media nor meridies noster" (Midnight is our noon).

Their history starts during WW2 when they were formed at Digby, Lincolnshire, England on 7 June 1941 as the RCAF's seventh -- second Night Fighter squadron formed overseas, the unit flew Beaufighter and Mosquito aircraft in the night air defence of Britain and Allied forces in North-West Europe. It was the first night fighter squadron to cross over to Normandy following the Allied landings and operate from the Continent, and the first to be stationed in Belgium and Germany. For the period June 1944 to May 1945, it was the top-scoring RAF/RCAF night fighter unit, with 581/2 aircraft and 12 V-l flying bombs destroyed. The squadron was disbanded at Twente, in The Netherlands, on 1 July 1945.  

After the war they were formed as an All-Weather (Fighter) unit at Comox, British Columbia on 1 November 1954, the squadron flew CF-100 and CF-101 aircraft on North American (West Coast) air defence duty, and on 1 February 1968 was integrated into the Canadian Armed Forces.  Their adoption city is Victoria, BC.

Thanks to http://www.allwxfighters.ca/409squadron.htm

 

This plane sports the usual CF-18 two tone gray camo with a false canopy on the underside of the fuselage.  The outside of the tails are where the beauty of this decal sheet can be seen.  The tail art cover the entire outside of both tails with a fierce attacking nighthawk painting marking the reforming of 409 Nighthawk Squadron with the text on the tail art that reads "409 Nighthawk Squadron Activation July 6 2006".  This aircraft had 2 ground accidents that are covered in the instruction sheets.  One of these accidents left the jet broken in two, but it was repaired to active service.

The 3 pages of instructions are clear and include 4 views of this aircraft.  The decals are beautifully printed on 1 decal sheet and one insert decal sheet.  One complete set of stencils is included on this decal sheet.

A special feature of this decal sheet is that the tail art decals include 2 sets of decals........one set is sized for the Hasegawa F-18 kit and the other set of tailart decals is sized for the Academy kit.

Leading Edge is the leader in bringing the most colourful Canadian aircraft decals to the modeller and this decal sheet is another winner.

Steve

I would like to thank Leading Edge Models for providing me with this review sample.

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford