Reviewed by Mike Valdez

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The F-117 has been in the USAF's inventory since the early 1980s. Even though it has been quite a successful airframe, it has recently been slotted for retirement. Two Bobs commemorates this aircraft with a decal sheet of what will probably be the last variance in color scheme, not to mention the last operations squadron, Holloman AFB.

This is Two Bobs third F-117 sheet in 48th scale and he first to cover the latest gray Nighthawk schemes. Six aircraft from the 7th FS, 9th FS, 49th OG (Operations Group), 53rd TEG/OT (Test & Evaluation Group/Operational Test), and standard line jet of Holloman AFB are featured on the sheet. The markings are printed on one and a quarter decal sheet with basic stenciling for four aircraft and tail code markings for all six. There are only enough full stencils for one aircraft. It would have been nice to have at complete stencils (adding a four more stars & bars) for at least two aircraft, but giving the diversity of F-117 subject matter included, it's quite an acceptable compromise.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

The decals are well printed by Microscale and registration is spot on. All the shadowed fonts are printed as two separate decals, allowing the modeler to determine the trapping parameters during the application process.

The standard F-117A black color pattern is given, as well as the test and evaluation gray camouflage gray schemes. The F-117A two tone gray camouflage is a mix of the Mod Eagle dark gull gray and compass light ghost gray. The other gray F-117A subject is the same aircraft repainted in an overall Gunship gray.

In the instructions, photographs of the real aircraft are provided for a basic reference. Homage is paid to the folks of the 49th FW and Don Logan for their subject matter research.

The decals are appropriately sized for the most accurate Nighthawk, the Tamiya F-117. The markings can also be applied to other 48th F-117 kits with minor alterations. Look for this sheet to become available in 72nd scale in the near future.

Highly Recommended.

My thanks to Two Bobs Decals for the review sample.
 

Twobobs Decals are available online directly from their website at http://www.twobobs.net

Images and Text Copyright 2007 by Mike Valdez
This Page Created on 30 March, 2007
Last updated 24 December, 2007

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