Zotz Decals

1/48 or 1/72 Italian F-16 Vipers decal sheet

product 1/72 # ZTZ72-031     1/48 #ZTZ48-031

by Steve Bamford

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This new decal sheet from Zotz Decals includes markings for 5 different 1/48 Italian F-16's including one with a 90th anniversary paint scheme featuring a huge black greyhound dog along both sides of the aircraft and a big octopus on the tail.  This paint scheme was in honour of the 90th anniversary of the birth of 23rd Gruppo in 2008.  

Special thanks goes to Pierpaolo Magliofor all his help making this decal sheet possible. 

The 5 aircraft include one with the greyhound anniversary paint scheme and 4 grey jets with various interesting paintwork on the tails.

  • F-16 ser # not on aircraft.  Two tone grey paint scheme with light grey markings and octopus artwork on the tail and greyhound artwork all over the aircraft.

  • F-16 ser # 82-1001 in 2006.  Two tone grey paint scheme with light grey markings and 2006 Soccer World Cup winner markings that included a gold cup and 4 stars on the tail (one star for each time Italy won the  World Cup).  These special markings also included an Italian flag on the front fuselage.  These markings were short lived.  This plane would be correct if you also decided to fit a (motorbike) red travel pod.

  • F-16 ser # 82-0942.  Two tone grey paint scheme with light grey markings and black checkerboard on the rudder.  

  • F-16 ser # 82-1005.  Two tone grey paint scheme with light grey markings and green checkerboard on the white and black travel pod.  Plus there is greyhound artwork on the tail.  

  • F-16 ser # 81-0713.  Two tone grey paint scheme with light grey markings and black stallion artwork on the tail and sides of the engine intake.  This plane would be correct if you also decided to fit a (motorbike) red travel pod.

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

The 5 pages of instructions are clear and include 3 or 4 color views of each aircraft.  The decals are beautifully printed on 2 decal sheets and one insert decal sheet.  You also get such added decal as drop tank serial number decals and one full set of stencils.  The instructions also include history and stories behind each aircraft and which base they were stationed at and how that affects the weathering.  Plus the instructions tell you about which block these aircraft are and provides all the info a modellers needs such as engine type etc.

I've also enjoyed see the Italian aircraft and this decal sheet will be very popular with most modellers that.....like me, have a fascination for foreign F-16's.  And with the red or yellow or green and white checked travel pods and weathering possibilities, this decal sheet is very exciting.    

Steve

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

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford