Afterburner Decals 1/48 Pax River Bug Testers

By Frank Anselmo

Newly released from Afterburner Decals is sheet AD48-025 for the 1/48 F/A-18 A, B, C, D, E,F, and are sized for the various Hasegawa kits. Included on this sheet are the markings for six different aircraft from the Naval Air Test Center at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Maryland.

The markings on this sheet are for the following aircraft:

F/A-18A, 161925, 7T/156, in 1986. This is the famous “’D’Skunk” aircraft that was painted in black and white in alternate quarters. A full painting guide for this aircraft is included from both top and bottom, as well as full side views.

The remaining aircraft are painted in the standard camouflage of Dark Ghost Gray FS36320 over Light Ghost Gray FS36375.

F/A-18B, 161947, SD/323, and features black tail markings from 2003.

F/A-18C, 163476, SD/100, and it also has black tail markings from 2003.

F/A-18D, 163986, SD/422, and it to features black tail markings from 2003.

F/A-18E, 165537, SD/100, and it has red bolt with blue stripes on its tail from 2005.

F/A-18F, 165929, SD/421, and it also has a red bolt with stripes on it tail from 2005.

The decals come on one very large sheet , as well as a supplemental sheet which features the individual markings applied to each aircraft for the filming of weapons delivery during testing. The decals themselves are beautifully printed by Cartograf and appear to be very thin. All FS numbers are called out on the six page full color instruction sheets, and there is a page placement guide for all stencils.

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.