Model Art Co, Ltd

Model Art Air Guide Series No. 718 Japanese Air Self Defense Force Aggressor Aircraft

Reviewed By  Bob Ulrich, IPMS# 35901

MSRP: 2,381JPY. (about $21.00 US) Publisher: Model Art Co., Ltd, 3-11 3chome, Iidabashi Chiyodaku, Tokyo, Japan (www.modelart.jp). On opening this softcover book I felt like one of those people in the Microsoft commercials who see something and say 'Wow!' The 152 pages of this publication are full of all color photographs and profiles depicting the staggering variety of markings applied to Japanese Air Self Defense Force aggressor aircraft. After a short introductory section, the Mitsubishi T-2 is covered, and then we move into the heart of this book, the JASDF F-15 aggressors. The paint schemes displayed here literally defy description. There are Eagles camouflaged in every color from black and white to various earth tones, Eagles in sharp edged camouflage clearly intended to imitate the wing planform of other aircraft, and some dazzling geometric patterns consisting of squares and bands of color. Each scheme is illustrated with photos and all aspect color profiles. Careful study of the photos indicates that these paint jobs are probably temporary, since the same serial number aircraft show up in many different markings. This impression is reinforced by the photos, which seem to indicate that the colors were applied directly over the Ghost Gray basic paint scheme, with the servicing stencils masked off in neat rectangles. Give some thought to modeling this look - my best idea would be to paint and decal a standard gray scheme, overcoat the decals with a solid coat of clear and then mask and paint the temporary colors. It might work, but it wouldn't be for the faint of heart. The only drawback to the book (for most Americans) is that the text is all Japanese. How I would love to know what the rationale of some these schemes was! That aside, fans of the F-15 and/or Japanese aviation should not miss this title.

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