South East Asia Intruders (2)

USN A-6A, A-6B, & KA-6D Intruders in the Vietnam War

AOA Decals, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by David Couche

This updated 1/48 decal sheet supersedes 48-006 and now includes additional options from 32-023 (VA-65) and 32-027 (VA-75).  Five Navy squadrons are covered with multiple options for each squadron. 

Two squadrons, VA-165 and VA-196, were tied for the most A-6 Intruder Vietnam combat cruises (5 each).  Also covered is VA-95, which supported the naval mine clearing Operation End Sweep along the North Vietnamese coast under the Paris Peace Accords.  One of the new squadrons covered is VA-65, including the experimental 1966 camouflage trials and the ill-fated 1967 Forrestal cruise. 

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The last new squadron included is VA-75 with coverage of their third and final deployment to Vietnam.

These squadrons are:

• VA-65 Tigers - USS Constellation (1966), USS Forrestal (1967), & USS Kitty Hawk (1968/69)
• VA-75 Sunday Punchers - USS Saratoga (1972-73)
• VA-95 Green Lizards - USS Coral Sea (1973)
• VA-165 Boomers - USS Ranger (1967-68), USS Ranger (1968-69), USS America (1970), & USS Constellation (1971-72)
• VA-196 Main Battery - USS Constellation (1968-69), USS Ranger (1969-70), USS Enterprise (1971-72), & USS Enterprise (1972-73)

The set comes in a thick zip locked bag, which protects the decals from damage. Airframe stencils in correct colours are provided for each aircraft in the set. New full airframe data/stencils provided for one aircraft, which is the AOA set 48-023. If you intend doing more than one aircraft from this set you will need to purchase this data/stencil sheet separately. Decals also included for MERs and fuel tanks. 

The decal sheet is printed by industry leader, Cartograf of Italy, which ensures top printing quality and ease of application. The instructions on 7, double sided glossy heavy paper sheets are printed in colour with helpful annotated notes where needed. Of those 13 pages, 3 are dedicated to the application of aircraft stencils, 2 pages of top views with the different wing walk configurations as well as National insignia placement which varied with many aircraft.

This is followed up with useful notes on “errors” in the HobbyBoss kit with the anti-glare painting/position as well as suggested kit modifications to the airbrake sections as well as looking at warning receivers and 2 pages of specific notes for each squadron. All up, AOA gives us a mass of reference material to back up their decal selection.  

The decals are printed in perfect register with great definition and strong colour by Cartograf, and we know they will go on perfectly and settle down exquisitely.

The aircraft in this set are:

VA-65 Tigers

• A-6A, 151821, VA-65 Tigers, USS Constellation, 1966 - experimental dark paint scheme
• A-6A, 151819, VA-65 Tigers, USS Constellation, 1966
• A-6A, 152899, VA-65 Tigers, USS Forrestal, 1967
• A-6A, 155585, VA-65 Tigers, USS Kitty Hawk, 1968/69

VA-75 Sunday Punchers

• A-6A, 152946, VA-75 Sunday Punchers, USS Saratoga, 1972 – lost Dec 1972
• A-6A, 155622, VA-75 Sunday Punchers, USS Saratoga, 1972 – lost Nov 1972

VA-95 Green Lizards

• A-6A, 154144, VA-95 Green Lizards, USS Coral Sea, 1973

• A-6A, 154133, VA-95 Green Lizards, USS Coral Sea, 1973

VA-165 Boomers

• A-6A, 152907, VA-165 Boomers, USS Ranger, 1967/68
• A-6A, 155599, VA-165 Boomers, USS Ranger, 1968/69
• A-6A, 155677, VA-165 Boomers, USS America, 1970
• A-6A, 155644, VA-165 Boomers, USS Constellation, 1971/72

VA-196 Main Battery

• A-6A, 154147, VA-196 Main Battery, USS Constellation, 1968/69
• A-6A, 155608, VA-196 Main Battery, USS Ranger, 1969/70
• A-6B, 151565, VA-196 Main Battery, USS Enterprise, 1971/72
• A-6A, 155598, VA-196 Main Battery, USS Enterprise, 1971/72
• KA-6D, 151819, VA-196 Main Battery, USS Enterprise, 1972/73

This is a nice large set of decals from AOA Decals, comprehensively covering 23 different airframes from US Navy squadrons in Vietnam, all from carriers. With several brands of A-6A/B and KA-6D kits available in 1/48, I would be fairly sure that, whilst designed for the HobbyBoss kit that they are sized closely enough to be used on any of the kits.

These AOA decals are highly recommended.

Thanks to AOA Decals for the review sample

AOA Decals are available online via their website

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2025 by David Couche
Page Created 30 April, 2025
Last Updated 30 April, 2025

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