Starfighter Decals 1/72 F11C-2 BFC-2 Goshawks 1933-38
By Matt Bittner
There were 28 Curtiss F11C-2s created in the 1930s. While designed as a fighter-bomber, in their F11C guise they appear to be treated primarily as a fighter, while in their BFC-2 phase they were primarily bombers. The major difference between the F11C-2 and BFC-2 was in the area behind the cockpit - the BFC-2 was installed with a newly designed turtle-deck, as well as a semi-enclosed cockpit.
Until recently, the only kit available in 1/72 of the F11C-2 was the venerable - but still extremly buildable - Monogram kit. There are some slight issues with the kit, but overall it stands up to the test of time extremely well. Until recently it was the only kit on the market - now, however, RS Models has released their own F11C-2.
There were no 1/72 BFC-2 kits that I'm aware of until recently. Starfighter Decals has re-released not only the Monogram F11C-2 kit, but also boxed the F11C-2 with their BFC-2 conversion so you can build that version of this Curtiss 'tweener. The first in the scale. More recently, though, RS Models has also released a BFC-2 in 1/72.
Be aware while the decals should fit the RS Models kits, they were designed specifically for the Monogram/Starfighter Decals Curtiss models.
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This decal release from Starfighter allows you to build all 28 aircraft, either F11C-2 or BFC-2. The following exists on this decal sheet:
- Bureau Numbers in black and white
- Fighter and Bomber Designators in black and white
- Markings for VF-1B/VB-2B/VB-3 and VB-6
- "C" Communication Awards
- Gunnery Pennants
- Both style of Wing Top Chevrons with separate black and white borders
- Fuselage Section Leader Bands with separate black and white border
- Two styles of "U.S. NAVY"
- Fuselage and Wing Top Codes
- National Insignia for 6 aircraft
Included in the instruction sheet are color placement guides for the known photographed airframes as well as a list of known assigned aircraft. Since the decals are printed by Cartograf you can be assured of their high quality.
This is an excellent release from Starfighter, and will allow one to create any F11C-2/BFC-2 in 1/72. The only problem - if, like me, you model from photographs - is finding photos of the aircraft that aren't already well covered.
Huge, huge thanks to Starfighter Decals for allowing me the honor to review these decals.