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"Exotic Stars"
Worldwide
F-104s

 

 

Albatros Modelworks

 

 


 Albatros Productions' F-104 Decals are available online from Squadron.com for $12.96

 

S u m m a r y
Catalogue Number: ALC/48006
ALC/72006
Scale: 1/48 and 1/72
Contents and Media: Three full-sized 13.5cm x 21cm decal sheets; two decal sheets approx. 20cm x 5cm; one decal sheet approx. 5cm x 8cm; two small errata decal sheets, two double sided, letter sized, full colour instruction sheets; one single-sided stencil marking sheet;
Price: USD$14.99 RRP
Review Type: First Look
Advantages: Extreme "Wow" factor (again); at least 22 subjects; great quality; surprising quantity; maximum choice and flexibilty offered by almost two full decal sheets of serial and ID numbers including individual Arabic characters; boggling variety; perfect registration; spectacular instructions, obviously created with passion
Disadvantages: Some slightly misleading descriptions on instruction sheets; you'll be spending lots of money on Hasegawa Starfighters!
Recommendation: Highly Recommended for anyone wanting to build Starfighters in 1/72 or 1/48


Reviewed by Brett Green

 

F i r s t L o o k

 

Albatros Productions have proved that the extraordinary variety and high quality of their initial releases was no fluke (see the review of "Ferocious Bigs" elsewhere on HyperScale).

This new decal set, available in 1/72 and 1/48 scales, supplies a mind-boggling variety of schemes for F-104A, F-104C and F-104G Starfighters in service of the following Air Forces:

  • US Air Force

  • Taiwan

  • Jordan

  • Spain

  • Pakistan

Alternate decals are provided for at least 22 aircraft using the basic decals supplied on the sheet, but many more variations are possible thanks to the inclusion of two sheets packed with generic serial and ID numbers. These even include generic Arabic numbers.

There is an excellent mix of natural metal, three-tine wraparound and low-viz grey schemes. The Taiwanese Air Force gets the lions’ share of options with some terrific tail art and the choice of unpainted, grey or wraparound schemes using large or small insignia.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

The sheer bulk of decals is surprising. Seven decal sheets of various sizes are squeezed into the ziplock bag. Three of these are full-sized, and the rest are smaller supplementary sheets. The decals are printed in Mexico. They are in perfect register, look very thin and exhibit minimal carrier film.

The glossy instructions are another highlight. They will provide a new source of inspiration for many modellers who might have previously never thought about building an aircraft in Jordanian, Pakistani or Taiwanese markings.

I did find some of the text on the instruction sheets slightly ambiguous. It refers to additional markings being available on Xtra Decal sheets. I assumed this meant the UK decal brand, but it actually refer to the additional sheets included in this Albatros set.

Another letter-sized sheet in black-and-white s supplied as an aid to stencil placement. Stencil markings are, of course, supplied! 

 

 

Conclusion

 

This is another superb production from Albatros Decals. I really do appreciate new products in our hobby that expand our awareness and appreciation for new subject aircraft, nationalities and colour schemes. "Exotic Stars" certainly has that effect on me!

Any modeller contemplating a 1/48 scale Hasegawa Starfighter, or a 1/72 scale F-104 (Hasegawa or Revell) should consider this amazing decal sheet.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Eli from Albatros Productions for the review sample.

Albatros Productions Decals are available from many dealers including CRM Hobbies ,  Linden Hill Imports , Great Models webstore , Flightdecs , Meteor Productions , Victory Models , Hannant's , North American Hobbies and Squadron Mail Order

Review Copyright © 2000 by Brett Green
This Page Created on 17 September, 2001
Last updated 09 November, 2003

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