Speed Hunter Graphics 1/48 SEAD Specialists Wild Weasel Vipers Part I Decal First Look
By Michael Benolkin
| Date of Review | September 2014 | Manufacturer | Speed Hunter Graphics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | SEAD Specialists Wild Weasel Vipers Part I | Scale | 1/48 |
| Set Number | 48007 | Pros | 12 Viper Weasel options |
| Cons | None noted | Skill Level | Basic |
| MSRP (USD) | $19.95 |
First Look
Speed Hunter Graphics is back with their latest release, this covering a nice cross-section of USAF F-16C Block 50/52 Wild Weasel Vipers designed for the Tamiya kit. Rember that the hunter/killer Vipers that flew with the F-4G were Block 30/32 'manned pylons' until they were both replaced with the F-16CJ Block 50/52. The F-16CJ designation refers to the Wild Weasel Block 50/52 whereas the F-16CG was the night attack Block 40/42. The split in the block numbers indicates the intalled engine (and therefore the type of installed inlet: Block 30/40/50 are GE F110 powered with wide-mouth inlets and Block 32/42/52 are powered by the P&W F100 with the narrow-mouth inlets. After the CCIP updates to the F-16 fleet, the F-16CG and F-16CJ both became F-16CM.
The twelve examples presented here include:
- F-16CJ Block 50, 91-0346, 522 FS/27 FW, Cannon AFB, 2004, Wing CC's aircraft
- F-16CM Block 50, 91-0382, 522 FS/27 FW, Cannon AFB, 2007, Squadron CC's aircraft
- F-16CM Block 50, 90-0825, 14 FS/35 FW, Misawa AB, 2013, Squadron CC's aircraft
- F-16CM Block 50, 91-0383, 416 FLTS/412 TW, Edwards AFB, 2014
- F-16CJ Block 50, 91-0353, 77 FS/20 FW, Aviano AB, 1999, Operation Allied Force
- F-16CM Block 50, 91-0353, 77 FW/20 FW, Shaw AFB, 2012
- F-16CM Block 52, 92-3922, 157 FS/169 FW/SC ANG, McEntire ANGB, 2013
- F-16CM Block 52, 92-3899, 157 FS/169 FW/SC ANG, McEntire ANGB, 2013, Squadron CC's aircraft
- F-16CM Block 52, 91-0386, 389 FS/366 FW, Mountain Home AFB, 2005, Squadron CC's aircraft
- F-16CJ Block 50, 91-0356, 77 FS/20 FW, Shaw AFB, 2003
- F-16CM Block 50, 91-0359, 77 FW/20 FW, Aviano AB, 2011, Operation Unified Protector
- F-16CM Block 50, 91-0389, 55 FW/20 FW, Aviano AB, 2011, Operation Unified Protector
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 two complete sets of maintenance stencils and markings to replicate at least two aircraft in 1/48 scale (and if you use some of the stencils from the kits, you can do more!). This set is designed to work with the Tamiya 1/48th scale kit.
These markings are available directly from the publisher on their website www.reidairpublishing.com.
My sincere thanks to Speed Hunter Graphics for this review sample!