Aztec Models 1/48 Cuban Raiders Decal First Look
By Michael Benolkin
| Date of Review | June 2012 | Manufacturer | Aztec Models |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Cuban Raiders | Scale | 1/48 |
| Set Number | 48047 | Pros | Outstanding selection of early FAR subjects |
| Cons | See text | Skill Level | Basic |
| MSRP (USD) | $12.90 |
First Look
Aztec Models has released this very interesting set of decals for the Fuerza Aerea Revolucionaria (FAR or Cuban Air Force). This set provides a terrific cross-section of early MiGs in service with the FAR from the nation's early days to 1990s. The markings are nicely rendered and printed as single-layer decals so there is no need to stack these markings one atop another to recreate the artwork as done by other companies.
This set provides a nice selection of MiGs, 16 to be exact. Let's look at the line-up:
- MiG-15, Bort 36, 1980s
- MiG-15UTI, Bort 26
- MiG-17F, Bort 101
- MiG-17AS, Bort 232, 1969 (defected to Homestead AFB, FL)
- MiG-17AS, Bort 237, 1974
- MiG-19P, Bort 89
- MiG-21PFM, Bort 371
- MiG-21PFM, Bort 618
- MiG-21PFM, Bort 668
- MiG-21MF, Bort 602
- MiG-21MF, Bort 656
- MiG-21MF, Bort 665
- MiG-21MF, Bort 519
- MiG-21MF, Bort 672, 1993 (defected to Homestead AFB, FL)
- MiG-21UM, Bort 500
- MiG-21UM, Bort 526
The instructions show that there are 17 subjects, but subject number 10 is missing in their lists. The instructions provide the left side profile and upper wing profiles for the camouflaged aircraft and include color equivalents to help match up the right paints. Unfortunately they do not provide the color profiles of the upper surfaces of the horizontal stabilizers nor right side of the aircraft, so you'll have to either find some reference photos to work from or simply 'guess'.
Aside from the incomplete color/painting profiles for the camouflaged subjects, this is a very nice set of decals to render several of those very distinctive and colorful camouflaged MiGs of the FAR. This set covers the MiGs up through the MiG-21 so I'm hoping there is a 'Part 2' what will carry the story through current day with the MiG-23, MiG-27, and MiG-29.
For more information about this set and the other releases from Aztec Models, visit their website at http://www.aztecmodels.com/.
My sincere thanks to Aztec Models for this review sample!