review Two Bobs 48029 1/48 F-18C's "Fighting Redcocks" of VFA-22 decal sheet

Two Bobs Aviation Graphics

Operation Enduring Freedom

F-18C's "Fighting Redcocks" of VFA-22

Three different F-18C's

1/48 scale product #48029

Review by Steve Bamford

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Since the tragic attacks of 9-11, the US Military has been very much on an active war footing in Afghanistan and this strongly includes the US Navy and it's carrier forces. This decal sheet includes 3 of the Naval planes involved in Operation Enduring Freedom.

The first plane is F-18C #164060 which is a CAG bird. This planes markings include a large red fighting cock in full attack mode on the outside of the vertical stabilizers. It also includes 7 bomb markings for mission markings. Beside the seven bomb mission markings is a black smart bomb chasing a fleeing ground fighter. The most eye catching parts of this plane are the large red fighting cock, the red jet intake warning stencils and the black and white stripes for the control surfaces on the vertical stabs (little white stars are on these black stripes). There is also diagonal vertical stripes on the airframe behind the cockpit (these also have little white stars on them). I don't know what it is....but CAG Birds are cool...even lo- vis CAG birds.

The second plane is F-18C # 164034, which has markings that are similar to the above planes markings except these markings are in lo-vis grey. This planes markings include a large dark grey fighting cock in full attack mode on the outside of the vertical stabilizers. It also includes 73 bomb markings for mission markings. Beside the seventy three bomb mission markings is a black smart bomb chasing a fleeing ground fighter. The most eye catching parts of this plane are the large fighting cock and the dark grey stripes for the control surfaces on the vertical stabs (little white stars are on these dark grey stripes). There is also diagonal vertical stripes on the airframe behind the cockpit (these also have little white stars on them). Seventy three mission markings shows this is one very busy plane.

The third plane is F-18C # 164012, which has the same lo-vis grey markings that are similar to the above planes markings. It also includes 7 8 bomb symbols for mission markings....another very busy plane.

With the passion surrounding the events of 9-11 and Operation Enduring Freedom, there is no doubt in my mind that this decal sheet will prove to be much sought after by modellers wanting to capture in scale the planes involved in the Operation Enduring Freedom.

To the right are the front and back of the instruction sheets. In all you get markings for 2 of the 3 different F-18C's on this decal sheet. The Two Bobs have captured a moment in our shared history which is still very much unfolding.

To the right you will find scans of the decal sheets. You only get enough "wing walk" decals for one plane, but masking up this area and spraying on some black paint shouldn't be much of a problem.

Also included is 2 pages of loadout information and pictures and diagrams for Operation Enduring Freedom F-18's.

This sheet is available through http://www.twobobs.net/ and select US Hobby Shops. Overseas customers can purchase these from Twobobs site or through Twobobs network of overseas distributors. Remember, shipping is always FREE to US Customers at Twobobs!!

Steve