TwoBobs Aviation Graphics

F-16C Buckeye Vipers #1

Sheet Number: 72-077 and 32-052 (Combined in one set) - 48-175

Reviewed by  Phil Pignataro, IPMS#17254 and Scott Hollingshead, IPMS# 34786

MSRP: :$12 Each Web Site: www.twobobs.net Alright all of you Buck nuts wanting to portray Block 30 F-16's of the 162nd Fighter Squadron, 178th Fighter Wing stationed at Springfield, Two Bobs has answered your prayers. This beautiful set of decals was printed by Microscale Industries, so they will work just fine with Micro Set and Micro Sol, if you utilize those products. The decals are thin, in register, and had a minimal amount of carrier film around them. There are markings for three aircraft in this set, the aircraft numbers are as follows: 86-0262 in May of 2008. This aircraft when assigned to 23TFS/52TFW on 17 January 1993 shot down a MiG-23 in the No Fly Zone over Iraq, becoming the 65th Air-to-Air kill for the Viper. 87-222 in November of 2005. 87-271 in September of 2004. For the combo sheet, it provides markings for both 1/72 and 1/32 scale F-16s. You can build two complete machines in 1/72 scale with serial numbers for an optional third machine while in 1/32 scale, you can do one complete F-16 with additional serial numbers for the other two. Also included are decals is the markings/artwork found on the intake and exhaust covers and some artwork located on the aft deck of the cockpit. For the 1/48 scale sheet, There are full stencils for two aircraft included on the sheet, and there is a separate mini-sheet with markings for nose art on the panel immediately behind the radome, which will need to be trimmed as the carrier film covers the entire sheet. Also included are decals for the engine intake and exhaust covers for all three planes. Markings for aircraft 86-0262 are slightly different from the other two as these include white shadows for the "OH" on the tail. The cougar head is also unique for this plane as it has white lines on it for the details (these are clear on the other two sets of markings), and the tongue and tips of the teeth are red (I mean scarlet of course). The single 8-1/2 by 11 inch page instructions show left and right side color drawings of all three aircraft, a top and bottom view to show stencil placement, and a dozen color photographs of the real planes, one of which is to thank Mike Long and the 162nd Fighter Squadron. Two of the photos show the rear decks of aircraft 87-0222 and 87-0271, and there are decals to represent the drawings added by the crew in these areas. There are also Federal Standard color "chips" for the two grays used to paint the F-16 with Testors, Humbrol, Gunze, and Xtracrylics paint numbers provided. I mentioned the markings for the intake and exhaust covers, and these are also shown in drawings and one of the intake covers and two of the exhaust covers are also shown in photographs. Lastly, the sheet lists the manufacturers of 1/48 scale kits of the F-16C, a cockpit, accessories, and detail sets.

As on other TwoBobs sheets I've reviewed, the register of the decals is spot on and the colors are vivid. On previous decals by this company, I tested part of the decals on a model and found the colors are opaque and setting solutions did not adversely affect the decals. This decal sheet should react no differently. Once again, I've been pleased with a new set of decals from TwoBobs. I'm always looking for interesting markings for my models and this one fills the bill for the F-16C, particularly if you have ANG aircraft in your collection. This is yet another great set of decals from this manufacturer and one I would recommend. My thanks go TwoBobs and IPMS/USA for the review sample.

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