AOA Decals 1/48 A-6E TRAM Intruder Sandbox Redux Decal First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

AOA Decals has returned with another impressive new set. In this release, we have a nice selection of A-6E TRAM Intruders that participated in one or more special operations out in the sandbox. The instructions provide a nice layout diagram for distinctive marking and stencil placement on the airframe.

The subjects included in this set:

• A-6E TRAM, 155602, VA-34, AB/502, USS America, Operation Diablo Canyon (Apr 1986)
• A-6E TRAM, 161677, VA-34, AB/513, USS America, Operation Diablo Canyon (Apr 1986)
• A-6E TRAM, 161676, VA-55, AK/503, USS Coral Sea, Operation Prairie Fire (Mar 1986 and Operation Diablo Canyon (Apr 1986)
• A-6E TRAM, 152642, VA-55, AK/507, USS Coral Sea, Operation Diablo Canyon (Apr 1986)
• A-6E TRAM, 161685, VA-85, AA/502, USS Saratoga, Operation Prairie Fire (Mar 1986)
• A-6E TRAM, 155661, VA-35, AA/501, USS Saratoga, Operation Desert Storm (1991)
• A-6E TRAM, 152953, VA-35, AA/505, USS Saratoga, Operation Desert Storm (1991)
• A-6E TRAM, 161689, VMA(AW)-533, ED/403, Shaikh Isa Air Base, Operation Desert Storm (1991)
• A-6E TRAM, 154158, VMA(AW)-533, ED/410, Shaikh Isa Air Base, Operation Desert Storm (1991)

The instructions walk you through the placement of the markings around the A-6E TRAM airframe and include the maintenance stencils that are carried by these camouflaged aircraft.All of the aircraft are two-tone gray camouflage. These decals are printed by Cartograf and feature nicely legible stencils and the variations of markings that have appeared on the aircraft.

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!