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First Look Review
132
176th Fighter Squadron F-16Cs
176th Fighter Squadron, Wisconsin ANG F-16C Vipers
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by: Rowan Baylis [ MERLIN ]

Freshly arrived from Euro Decals comes a spectacular 1:32 sheet with markings for a quartet of F-16Cs of the Wisconsin ANG.

The sheet is superbly printed by Ray Horwell at Fantasy Printshop, with the thin and glossy items boasting pin-sharp registration. The alignment on the unit's badger tail artwork is jaw-droppingly precise, with six colours negating any need for separate overlays.

The "Badger Air Militia" subjects featured are:

1. F-16C Block 30 Fighting Falcon, sn. 87-0348, flown by Maj. Bob Bello, Madison, 2017
2. F-16C Block 30 Fighting Falcon, sn. 87-0278, flown by Col. Jeff Weigand, Madison, 2015
3. F-16C Block 30 Fighting Falcon, sn. 87-0278 again, this time flown by Col. Joe Brandemuehl in anniversary markings, Madison, 2015
4. F-16C Block 30 Fighting Falcon, sn. 87-0234, flown by Maj. Glenn Messner in anniversary markings, Madison, 1999

The anniversary markings are pretty spectacular, with the aircraft sporting coloured fins. A really nice touch is that the red stripes of the US flag for Option 4 are left clear so that the colour matches whichever brand of paint you use for the fin exactly (I have to admit it caught me out and my heart missed a beat at what I mistook for pale blue stripes when I examined the sheet!).

Also included is a comprehensive set of servicing stencil markings, with crisp definition allowing even the smallest text to be clearly legible under a magnifier.

The decals are accompanied by a simple and neat set of instructions, with colour profiles and plan views for each scheme doubling as stencil placement guides. Colour call-outs are given in each case for FS numbers, along with matches for Humbrol, Xtracolour, Xtracrylix and Lifecolor modelling paints.

Conclusion
Euro Decals' 176th Sqn. Wisconsin ANG markings are fantastic quality and provide some really attractive schemes for anyone building a 1:32 F-16C. Highly recommended.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.
SUMMARY
Highs: Superbly printed decals backed up by neat instructions.
Lows: None noted.
Verdict: These decals are ideal for anyone seeking an eye-catching subjects for their F-16C model.
Percentage Rating
95%
  Scale: 1:32
  Mfg. ID: ED-32126
  Suggested Retail: £28.95
  PUBLISHED: May 18, 2020
  NATIONALITY: United States
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 88.37%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 92.14%

Our Thanks to Fantasy Printshop!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Rowan Baylis (Merlin)
FROM: NO REGIONAL SELECTED, UNITED KINGDOM

I've been modelling for about 40 years, on and off. While I'm happy to build anything, my interests lie primarily in 1/48 scale aircraft. I mostly concentrate on WW2 subjects, although I'm also interested in WW1, Golden Age aviation and the early Jet Age - and have even been known to build the occas...

Copyright ©2021 text by Rowan Baylis [ MERLIN ]. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AeroScale. All rights reserved.



Comments

Slightly odd to do the 50th and 60th anniversary schemes, but not the 70th... LINK Does anybody know of a 70th anniversary decal sheet in 1/48th? The 50th was both a Hasegawa boxing and an Expert’s Choice sheet, Twobobs did the t0th, but I’m not aware of any 70th anniv decals.
JUN 05, 2020 - 12:08 PM
   
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