Two Bobs Aviation Graphics

1/48 F-111A Combat Lancer Aardvarks decal sheet

Product #48-067

Product Article by Steve Bamford on Mar 29 2004

Following successful trials at Nellis AFB, the USAF decided to deploy a group of F-111A's to SEA under the Ops name of Combat Lancer.  The Harvest Reaper mods that were done to the aircraft had proven to be successful during testing and the USAF was eager to put these to work during the Vietnam conflict.

This subject was pretty tough to get references on.  Twobobs had originally had the idea to do this sheet over two years ago but just couldn't get all the references for these aircraft.  To the rescue came some great guys that you're used to seeing on the newsgroups and discussion boards.  Don Logan, Jim Rotramel, Frank Baehre and Stephen Thrum all played a part in getting this project off the ground.  Don Logan was particularly helpful since he had actual photographs of most of the aircraft when they returned to Nellis AFB.  Jim Rotramel provided information on the mission as well as weapons loadouts and Frank Baehre who is a former Aardvark driver provided Twobobs with Tech Order references for all the stencil markings on the aircraft.  Stephen Thrum, you all know him!  He's the man behind Scaledown which produces all kinds of aftermarket items for the 111.

On to the sheet.  There are enough markings for one complete aircraft with some extra tail markings and IFR markings thrown in for you folks that have extra national insignia and stencils laying around.  All the serial numbers for all the A/C that deployed for Combat Lancer are represented on the sheet.  

 

There are two aircraft that had mission markings and nicknames on them and they are also on this decal sheet.  These aircraft carried no crew names or mission markings while in theater so these markings were applied after their return to Nellis AFB.

There is a very extensive write-up on the back of the instruction sheet that explains the mission of these aircraft as well as a disposition of these aircraft when their days were done. 

The decals are contained on one decal sheet.  Printing quality is first rate and even the tiniest stencils are very clear.

Twobobs can't thank enough the aformentioned guys that provided them with the references on these aircraft.  Modelers should consider it a godsend that there are guys like them that make it a point to preserve these little pieces of history that we can all appreciate. 

This sheet is available through http://www.twobobs.net/ and select US Hobby Shops.  Overseas customers can purchase these from Twobobs site or through Twobobs network of overseas distributors.  Remember, shipping is always FREE to US Customers at Twobobs!! 

Steve

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford