IsraDecal

1/72 F-16D/F-16i Sufa - Block 52 decal sheet

Product # IAF-55 

Product Article by Yoav Efrati

 

 

 

     Ra'anan Weiss of IsraDecal has pushed the plastic model decal envelope to new bounds with his latest release dedicated to the two seat block 52 F-16D airframes  used by the Israel Air Force and the Republic of  Singapore Air Force. In the Israeli Air Force this latest version of the small intake, Pratt and Whitney F100-229 powered F-16D is known as the F-16I Sufa, which means "Storm" in Hebrew. The Sufa decal package is unique in offering the modeler a CD containing three sub folders entitled: "Instructions", "Walk Around" and "Wallpaper".

     The instructions folder is a PDF file that should be opened with Adobe Acrobat version 7.0 for optimal viewing. The instructions file contains 5 pages of color painting and decal application instructions. Right and Left side profile views are shown of two Negev squadron aircraft, no.421 with current Lebanon War bird motif and pre war non bird modify. Two Bat squadron airplanes are shown and two Orange tail squadron aircraft are shown, in current Lebanon War markings. Although only six IAF Sufa aircraft are shown, numeral decals are provided to build any Sufa the modeler may wish. In addition to the IAF Sufa, a single Republic of Singapore Air Force block 52 F-16D is offered, number 672 of the 145 squadron. 

     A second folder entitled Walk Around, contains 100 jpg images sized 800 X 600 pixles that are equally clear when viewed on a lap top computer screen or alternately printed on letter sized printed paper. These images will aid the modeler in locating the resin conversion parts offered in IsraCast's newly released resin Sufa conversion set 72002, as well as painting the Sufa's various lumps and bumps and applying the decals provided in this sheet. The icing on the cake is the third folder entitled Wallpaper in which two additional files are enclosed with 19 images of IAF Sufa aircraft in current markings to be used as wallpaper or screen saver photos when placed in "My Pictures" file when Windows XP is used. The Wallpaper photo files are provided in two formats; 800 X 600 pixles and 1024 X 768  which are the most common screen sizes used.

     The decal sheet itself is printed by Cartograph and retains the exceptionally high printing standards we have become accustomed to by IsraDecal. The number of printed decals is too numerous to be counted, with multiple stencil decals abound enabling the modeler to build two IAF Sufa and one RSAF block 52 F-16D aircraft.

     The IAF's latest Sufa squadron, the Orange Tail squadron, has an f.s.22544 orange curved arrow applied from atop the vertical fin to the lower leading edge of the vertical fin. Since a flat pattern decal can not match the contors of the vertical fin upper aft end, a self adhesive paper masking pattern is provided. To prevent possible lifting of the fin's base layers, it is advised to apply a coat of Future Klear prior to applying this paper mask.

Yoav

Click on images below to see larger images
08.jpg
12.jpg
18.jpg

 

Photos and text © by Yoav Efrati