IsraDecal

1/32 Israeli Air Force F-16A Netz decal sheet

product # IAF-56

$26.00 from IsraDecal

Review by Steve Bamford on Aug 16 2007

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This new decal sheet from IsraDecal includes markings for 8 different 1/32 F-16A Netz's with the Israeli Air Force, but there are markings for a variety of F-16A Netz's, so I suspect you could do aircraft with different serial numbers.  One of the aircraft participated in the bombing mission on the Iraqi nuclear reactor. 

This set fits Hasegawa's F-16A but for a more detailed and accurate Israeli F-16A, IsraCast is providing a new full conversion set to convert the Academy F-16C to an F-16A.  This conversion set includes a new fin base and tip, 2 wing pylons, missile rails, antennas, instrument panel, cannon cover and chaff/flare dispensers.

The first aircraft is a F-16A/B "The Negev Squadron".  This is the 3rd Squadron to receive the F-16A/B in 1981.  The original Mirage / Nesher squadron insignia was replaced in the mid '80's with one featuring an F-16 silhouette inside.  The number 290 on the tail is done with decals.  This a/c #290 has 2 kill marks of Syrian MiG's.  The paint scheme is Brown FS 30219, FS 33531 Tan and FS 34424 Light Gray on top and FS 33375 Dark gray on the underside with a Dark Gray FS 36270 nose.

The second aircraft is a F-16A/B "Golden Eagle Squadron".  This is the 4th Squadron to operate the F-16A/Bs and also serves as an OTU squadron.  The black number 233 on the tail is done with decals. The paint scheme is Brown FS 30219, FS 33531 Tan and FS 34424 Light Gray on top and FS 33375 Dark gray on the underside with a Dark Gray FS 36270 nose. 

The third aircraft is a F-16A/B "Flying Wing Squadron" 2003.  In the first half of 2003, the Flying Wing squadron was being reformed as an F-16A/B squadron, receiving the planes of the Negev squadron which received the new F-16I at the end of 2003.  The number 107 and the silhouette artwork on the tail is done by first painting the area FS 33531 Tan and then applying mask type numbers and tail silhouette artwork over the FS 33531 Tan paint before painting the additional colours.   BUT the painting masks don't include a "0" so you're going to have to make your own mask possibly by modifying/combining a number 6 & 9.  The paint scheme is Brown FS 30219, FS 33531 Tan and FS 34424 Light Gray on top and FS 33375 Dark gray on the underside with a Dark Gray FS 36270 nose.

 

The fourth aircraft is a F-16A "The Flying Dragon Squadron".  This Squadron operates as an Aggressor squadron and trains all IAF fighter squadrons.  The Squadron operates F-16A, AH-1S Cobras and Anti-Aircraft batteries.  The tail art has been designed by Ra'anan Weiss.  The plane usually carries two red painted training AIM-9L missiles and a red painted centerline fuel tank.  The number 220 on the tail is done with decals. The black Dragon and red background on the tail is done with a decal.  The paint scheme is Brown FS 30219, FS 33531 Tan and FS 34424 Light Gray on top and FS 33375 Dark gray on the underside with a Dark Gray FS 36270 nose. 

The fifth aircraft is a F-16A/B "Golden Eagle Squadron".  The Golden eagle squadron's 50th anniversary fin markings were initially applied in 1999.  This aircraft has 3 kill markings for a Syrian aircraft.   The number 116 and the silhouette artwork on the tail is done by first painting the area FS 33531 Tan and then applying mask type numbers and tail silhouette artwork over the FS 33531 Tan paint before painting the additional colours.  The paint scheme is Brown FS 30219, FS 33531 Tan and FS 34424 Light Gray on top and FS 33375 Dark gray on the underside with a Dark Gray FS 36270 nose. 

The sixth aircraft is a F-16A/B "Flying Wing Squadron".  This is one of the aircraft that participated in the attack on the Iraqi Nuclear Plant in 1981.  This aircraft has a kill marking from that mission.  This aircraft also has a half kill for a Syrian aircraft.   The number 129 and the silhouette artwork on the tail is done by first painting the area FS 33531 Tan and then applying mask type numbers and tail silhouette artwork over the FS 33531 Tan paint before painting the additional colours.  The paint scheme is Brown FS 30219, FS 33531 Tan and FS 34424 Light Gray on top and FS 33375 Dark gray on the underside with a Dark Gray FS 36270 nose. 

The seventh aircraft is a F-16A/B "The Phoenix Squadron".  This Squadron's F-16's are ex-USAF F-16s which came to Israel in 1994 and served with the American gray scheme for several years.  They carried the original American stencils.  During major maintenance, the a/c were painted with the standard camouflaged colour scheme.  The black number 233 on the tail is done with decals.  The red Phoenix in the tail is done with a decal.  The paint scheme is Brown FS 30219, FS 33531 Tan and FS 34424 Light Gray on top and FS 33375 Dark gray on the underside with a Dark Gray FS 36270 nose. 

The eighth aircraft is a F-16A/B "The Phoenix Squadron" with later style tail art.  The black number 702 on the tail is done with decals.  The red Phoenix in the tail is done with a decal and this is the newer style of this artwork.  The complicated camo painting on the tail is assisted with sticky paper stencils that you cut out and apply to the tail.  Painting the tail is a straight forward process if you follow the text and images that detail the process in 3 easy to follow steps.  The paint scheme is Brown FS 30219, FS 33531 Tan and FS 34424 Light Gray on top and FS 33375 Dark gray on the underside with a Dark Gray FS 36270 nose. 

The instructions are clear and include 1 and sometimes 2 views of each aircraft.  The decals are beautifully printed on 3 decal sheets plus you get 2 sheets to painting masks to help you create your own 1/32 Israeli Air Force F-16A Netz .  One complete set of stencils is included on this decal sheet.

Lets face it....the Israeli F-16's are the best looking Vipers on the planet, so this new sheet is a must have for most F-16 builders and will give you one very big and stunning F-16 for your display case.

Steve

I would like to thank IsraDecal for providing me with this review sample.

  

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

       

  

  

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford