Bullseye Model Aviation 1/48 F-16A/C Desert Storm Vipers II Decal First Look
By Michael Benolkin
| Date of Review | February 2021 | Manufacturer | Bullseye Model Aviation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | F-16A/C Desert Storm Vipers II | Scale | 1/48 |
| Set Number | 48014 | Pros | 34 Viper options |
| Cons | None noted | Skill Level | Novice |
| MSRP (USD) | $26.99 |
First Look
Bullseye Model Aviation is back with part 2 of an interesting selection of F-16A/C Vipers that deployed to Desert Storm. These markings are all sized for the Tamiya 1/48 F-16C Aggressor kit and provides instructions how to correctly modify the kit (if needed) to render each of the subjects in this set.
The aircraft presented here include:
- F-16C Block 25, 85-1419, 363 TFW, Al Dhafra AB, UAE, 1991, Wing CC Aircraft
- F-16C Block 25, 84-1281, 363 TFW, Al Dhafra AB, UAE, 1991, Wing CC Aircraft
- F-16C Block 25, 84-1217, 17 TFS, Al Dhafra AB, UAE, 1991
- F-16C Block 25, 83-1145, 17 TFS, Al Dhafra AB, UAE, 1991
- F-16C Block 25, 84-1244, 17 TFS, Al Dhafra AB, UAE, 1991
- F-16C Block 25, 83-1159, 17 TFS, Al Dhafra AB, UAE, 1991
- F-16C Block 25, 84-1261, 17 TFS, Al Dhafra AB, UAE, 1991
- F-16C Block 25, 84-1254, 17 TFS, Al Dhafra AB, UAE, 1991
- F-16C Block 25, 84-1256, 17 TFS, Al Dhafra AB, UAE, 1991
- F-16C Block 25, 83-1161, 33 TFS, Al Dhafra AB, UAE, 1991
- F-16C Block 25, 83-1142, 33 TFS, Al Dhafra AB, UAE, 1991
- F-16C Block 25, 85-1420, 33 TFS, Al Dhafra AB, UAE, 1991
- F-16C Block 25, 84-1265, 33 TFS, Al Dhafra AB, UAE, 1991
- F-16C Block 25, 83-1141, 33 TFS, Al Dhafra AB, UAE, 1991
- F-16C Block 25, 84-1212, 33 TFS, Al Dhafra AB, UAE, 1990, Desert Camo
- F-16C Block 25, 84-1248, 17 TFS, Al Dhafra AB, UAE, 1991
- F-16C Block 25, 84-1315, 10 TFS, Al Dhafra AB, UAE, 1991, Sqn CC Aircraft
- F-16C Block 25, 85-1418, 10 TFS, Al Dhafra AB, UAE, 1991
- F-16C Block 25, 84-1290, 10 TFS, Al Dhafra AB, UAE, 1991
- F-16C Block 30, 87-0221, 614 TFS, Doha AB, Qatar, 1991, Sqn CC Aircraft
- F-16C Block 30, 87-0242, 614 TFS, Doha AB, Qatar, 1991
- F-16C Block 30, 87-0248, 614 TFS, Doha AB, Qatar, 1991
- F-16C Block 30, 87-0258, 614 TFS, Doha AB, Qatar, 1991
- F-16C Block 30, 87-0258, 614 TFS, Doha AB, Qatar, 1991
- F-16C Block 30, 87-0224, 614 TFS, Doha AB, Qatar, 1991
- F-16C Block 30, 87-0229, 614 TFS, Doha AB, Qatar, 1991
- F-16C Block 30, 87-0225, 614 TFS, Doha AB, Qatar, 1991
- F-16C Block 30, 86-0289, 612 TFS, Incirlik AB, Qatar, 1991, Sqn CC Aircraft
- F-16C Block 30, 86-0287, 23 TFS, Incirlik AB, Qatar, 1991
- F-16C Block 30, 86-0232, 23 TFS, Incirlik AB, Qatar, 1991
- F-16A Block 10, 79-0403, 174 TFS, Al Karj AB, Qatar, 1991
- F-16A Block 10, 79-0399, 174 TFS, Al Karj AB, Qatar, 1991
- F-16A Block 10, 79-0305, 157 TFS, Al Karj AB, Qatar, 1991, Sqn CC Aircraft
- F-16A Block 10, 79-0291, 157 TFS, Al Karj AB, Qatar, 1991
This set provides maintenance stencils and markings to replicate at least two examples in 1/48 scale (and if you use some of the stencils from the kits, you can do more!). The sheets are printed by Cartograf and the printing is very well done. What's more, none of these decals require the modeler to stack multiple layers of markings atop one another to recreate artwork. This trend by some other decal companies of producing multiple-layer decals is unfortunate as it puts the burden on you to do the work of what should have been done by the decal maker.
This set provides examples for many CONUS and USAFE-based Vipers, including two ANG F-16A Block 10 squadrons, who took part in the First Gulf War. If you've been seeking a comprehensive early Viper project with some great markings options, look no further than this set as well as its companion.
These decals are sold exclusively by Sprue Brothers.
My sincere thanks to Bullseye Model Aviation for this review sample!