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RAAF F/A-18F 1 Squadron "100 years"


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The 1 Squadron 100th Anniversary markings might have appeared a year late but 2017 marks the first time a special colourful scheme has been applied to a RAAF Super Hornet. When the first arrived on Australian soil in 2010 there was a “City of Ipswich” nose art which was toned down after a few months. This scheme is striking with a black tail with yellow tips with the Squadron crest of the Kookaburra over a cross of Jerusalem on the outer side and four aircraft on the inner tails symbolising some of aircraft used in the 100 year history (obviously it would be hard to represent nearly all of the 20 aircraft the squadron has used within this period.). It’s very similar to what the US Navy do with their jets. The Kookaburra and cross represents the actions of the first Australian Airman to be awarded the VC in World War 1 Frank McNamara. The cross symbolises the location in near Gaza and the Kookaburra likened to Frank swooping down to pick up his wounded compatriot.  

The subject of this review is Ronin Graphics RAAF F/A-18F 1 Squadron 100 Anniversary decals. Currently available in 1/72 but 1/48 and 1/32 are due to follow. The decals themselves are silk screen printed on two sheets. One A5 sheet provides all the stencil data and mirrors what is usually available in other Ronin sheets for the Super Hornet. The smaller sheet covers markings specific for the jet in question. This provides the roundels, airframe numbers, the yellow markings and the kookaburras. The yellow artwork looks dense and as I have been told, there should be no bleed through as there is a layer of white underneath. Good thinking!

Included with the decals are three pages of A4 sized colour placement diagrams and reference pictures. The only thing to watch out for is that you will need to paint the yellow tips of the fins. An FS colour is called out in the instructions to match the colour of the decals. This sheet comes highly recommended and the finished product will surely stand out. The 1/72 set retails for AU$18 and can be ordered online at their eBay store which is located at:

http://stores.ebay.com.au/roningraphicsaus/

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Edited by Tony P
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