Afterburner Decals 1/48 Test Vipers

By Frank Anselmo

Recently released from Afterburner Decals is sheet AD48-026, TEST VIPERS. This sheet is designed to be used with the 1/48 scale Tamiya F-16CJ kit. Some parts from the newly announced Tamiya 1/48 scale F-16C Block 25/32 kit will need to be used should you desire to build one of the Block 42 or Block 52 aircraft on this sheet. Markings for eight different aircraft are provided on this sheet. Some of the aircraft also have the new “Have Glass” finish that has been applied to certain F-16 Block 50 aircraft starting in 2005. This coating is explained on the instruction sheets.

98-0005, F-16CJ CCIP Block 50, 2007, 85th Test & Evaluation Squadron Commander aircraft, “Have Glass” finish.

97-0106, F-16CJ CCIP Block 50, 2006, 85th Test & Evaluation Squadron Commander aircraft, “Have Glass” finish.

97-0109, F-16CJ CCIP Block 50, 2003, 53rd Wing Commander aircraft.

91-0374, F-16CJ CCIP Block 52, 2003, 53rd Test & Evaluation Group Commander aircraft.

88-0423, F-16 CG CCIP Block 42, 2007, 422d Test & Evaluation Squadron Commander aircraft.

90-0841, F-16DJ CCIP Block 50, 2007.

88-0442, F-16CG CCIP Block 42, 2007, U.S. Air Force Warfare Center Commander aircraft.

88-0442, F-16CG Block 42, 2005.

The decals are printed on one standard size decal sheet, along with a smaller sheet of walkway stripes. The sheets are in perfect register, and are beautifully printed by Cartograf. Sufficient markings are provided to complete two individual aircraft.

The instruction sheets are printed in color on both sides of three sheets. One of the sheets is comprised of Modeling Notes, and illustrates the current and upcoming ordnance and equipment used by the F-16 Block 40/50 CCIP aircraft. Modelers will find this to be most useful.

This sheet is highly recommended.

This and all Afterburner Decals can be found at their website.

My thanks to Scott Brown of Afterburner Decals for this review sheet.