The BAE Hawk was originally
designed as a trainer and first flew in 1974. Since then there have been
several variants, including a ground attack and single seater
configuration. The aircraft has been a success story for the British
Aerospace industry has been exported around the world. The Hawk is
currently used by the RAF as a trainer, and is also the chosen aircraft of
the Red Arrows display team. With a top speed of 560kt (1038 km/h,
645 mph) and the ability to be armed with one
optional centreline 30mm ADEN cannon or up to 3000kg of ordnance including
cluster bombs and AIM-9s, it is a potent aircraft.
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This new
1/48 decal sheet (also available in 1/72) from Model Alliance Group from
their Premier Range
focuses on the BAe Hawk and gives you the option to build 9 different BAe
Hawks. The paint schemes are quite varied
from low-viz grey to black to a red/white/blue scheme. The
folks at Model Alliance Group have even included a Tiger scheme
Hawk. Stencils are not included, but Model Alliance Group has a
very comprehensive decal sheet (product # Ma-72/481116) that include the
Hawk stencil decals.
The decals
themselves are beautiful quality and very clearly printed on the 1/72
sample I have before me (scan at right does not show the the sharpness
of these decals). Colours look solid and will cover very well, but
the decal also don't appear overly thick. There are enough
stencils provided for 2 complete aircraft......with more stencils and
national markings, you could make more of the 13 different planes
featured on this decal sheet. Clear film is minimal and tapers
down nicely to the edge of the decal.
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The first
Hawk is BAe Hawk
Mk. T1A, XX289 of 19 Squadron, RAF in the mid 1990's. The paint
scheme is Medium Sea Grey BS381C:637 upper surfaces with Light Aircraft
Grey BS381C:627 undersides. The fin is painted with a mixture of 7
parts roundel Blue with 3 parts white. The national insignia are lo-viz
and they include a blue and white checkerboard in the side rear of the
fuselage. There are some very good squadron markings on both sides
of the tail. |
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The second
Hawk is
BAe Hawk Mk. T1, XX245 of FRADU, Royal Navy in the late 1990's. The
paint scheme is overall Gloss Black BS381C:642. The roundels are
outlined in white and there is gold pilots wing insignia's on both side of
the tail. |
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The third Hawk
is BAe Hawk Mk.
T1A, XX194 of 100 Squadron, RAF in the early 2000. The paint scheme
is overall Gloss Black BS381C:642. This is the Commanding Officer's
aircraft. The roundels are outlined in white and there is black and
yellow checkerboards by the roundels at the rear of the fuselage.
There is also a skull and crossbones on both sides of the tail with the
letters CO. |
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The fourth
Hawk is BAe Hawk
Mk. T1, XX162 of RAF institute of Aviation Medicine in the late
1990's. The paint scheme is overall Gloss Black BS381C:642.
This is the Commanding Officer's aircraft. The roundels are outlined
in white and there is black and yellow checkerboards by the roundels at
the rear of the fuselage. There is also a skull and crossbones on
both sides of the tail with the letters CO. |
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The fifth Hawk
is BAe Hawk Mk. T1,
XX226 of 74 Squadron, RAF in the mid 1990's. The paint scheme is
overall Gloss Black BS381C:642. This was the first example of the
Tigers head motif carried by XX226. |
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The sixth
Hawk is BAe Hawk
Mk. T1, XX261 of 208 Squadron, RAF in early 2001. The paint scheme
is overall Gloss Black BS381C:642. Artwork on tail includes wings
with a single eye staring out. The roundels are outlined in white
and there is blue and yellow stripes by the roundels at the rear of the
fuselage and well as matching blue and yellow pennants on both sides of
the nose. |
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The seventh
Hawk is BAe Hawk
Mk. T1A, XX157 of 92 Squadron, RAF in the mid 1990's. The paint
scheme is Medium Sea Grey BS381C:637 upper surfaces with Light Aircraft
Grey BS381C:627 undersides. The fin is painted Roundel Blue
BS381C:110. The national insignia are lo-viz and they include a red
and yellow checkerboard in the side rear of the fuselage. There are
some very good squadron markings on both sides of the tail. |
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The eight Hawk
is BAe Hawk Mk.
T1A, XX352 of JFACSTU, RAF in early 2000. The paint scheme is
overall Gloss Black BS381C:642. Artwork on tail includes white
squadron markings with the white letters CP on both sides of the
tail. The roundels are outlined in white. |
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The ninth Hawk
is BAe Hawk Mk.
T1A, XX341 of ETPS/ASTRA, RAF in early 2000. The paint scheme is
Signal Red BS381C:537, Roundel Blue BS381C:108, Light Aircraft Grey
BS381C:627 and Gloss White BS381C:302 and a flat black anti-glare panel in
front of the windscreen. The roundels are outlined in white.
On the side of the fuselage is the black text Empire Test Pilots School as
well as ASTRA. |
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The markings are varied and
interesting. The instruction sheets include helpful text describing how to
paint the cockpit. Two of the tails require painting with special
colours and these colours are mentioned on the instruction sheets. All
necessary information about painting is included as well as BS British Standard
numbers, US Federal Standard numbers, Humbrol numbers and Xtracolour paint
numbers. Painting instructions for the cockpit and other detail areas are
included in the instructions.
Reccomended kits are in 1/48
Airfix Mk. T1 Hawk or 1/48 Premier Mk. T1.
In 1/72 the recommended kits are
1/72 Italeri Mk. T1 Hawk or 1/72 Airfix Mk. T1 Hawk
These decals are very well done,
have some interesting paint schemes and I recommend these decals to anyone considering building a RAF
Hawk. Special thanks to Model Alliance for sending me this review
sample. You can purchase these decals direct from Model Alliance.
Steve
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