AOA Decals 1/32 Intruders from the Beach Decal First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

Here is a new decal company that has started off with a pair of impressive new sets. In this release, we have markings for the three U.S. Marine Corps squadrons that operated the A-6A Intruder in Vietnam. When I say three squadrons, I do mean markings and color profiles are provided for every aircraft from each of those squadrons. The instructions are provided in PDF format on a mini-CDROM disc.

The aircraft provided in this decal set include:

1. A-6A, 155616, VMA(AW)-225, CE/06, Da Nang AB, 1969
2. A-6A, 155683, VMA(AW)-225, CE/12, Da Nang AB, 1969-70
3. A-6A, 152612, VMA(AW)-242, DT/12, Da Nang AB, 1966-67
4. A-6A, 151578, VMA(AW)-242, DT/4, Da Nang AB, 1968
5. A-6A, 152593, VMA(AW)-242, DT/9, Da Nang AB, 1968-69
6. A-6A, 155685, VMA(AW)-242, DT/1, Da Nang AB, 1970
7. A-6A, 155689, VMA(AW)-242, DT/4, Da Nang AB, 1969-70
8. A-6A, 152643, VMA(AW)-533, ED/9, Chu Lai AB, 1967-68
9. A-6A, 154158, VMA(AW)-533, ED/1, Chu Lai AB, 1969
10. A-6A, 154165, VMA(AW)-533, ED/8, Chu Lai AB, 1969
11. A-6A, 155679, VMA(AW)-533, ED/1, Nam Phong AB, 1972-73
12. A-6A, 155687, VMA(AW)-533, ED/3, Nam Phong AB, 1972-73
13. A-6A, 154126, VMA(AW)-533, ED/6, Nam Phong AB, 1972-73
14. A-6A, 155680, VMA(AW)-533, ED/9, Nam Phong AB, 1972-73

Three squadrons are represented here including two different tours by VMF(AW)-533. This decal set is so thorough that it provides marking differences for a number of aircraft here as crews and/or significant markings changed during their time in-country. This decal set also includes sufficient airframe stencils for one aircraft, but with the help of AOA Decals' airframe stencil set, you have sufficient markings here quite a few aircraft between the various tailcodes and squadron markings included.

If you look in the dictionary under decal superset, you'll see the cover art for this set displayed there. Forty-five aircraft (plus variations) and all for your Trumpeter 1/32 A-6A Intruder kit(s)! Get a set today!

For more information about this set and the other releases from AOA Decals, visit their website at www.aoadecals.com.

My sincere thanks to AOA Decals for this review sample!