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Internet Modeler : New Releases : Tools RSS News Feed

Cutting Edge Modelworks Decals

By Michael Benolkin

Cutting Edge Modelworks has been busy! Since our last review in the October 2001edition of Internet Modeler, Cutting Edge has released eight additional sheets in three subject areas: the 1/48 A-4E/F Skyhawk for the outstanding Hasegawa kit, the 1/48 U-2 for the venerable Testors/Hawk kit, and 1/48 F-86D for both the Revell-Monogram early version and the Revell/Germany late version kits.

Let's take a closer look:

A-4 Skyhawks

CED48147 - A-4E/F Skyhawks - MSRP: $8.99 USD

This sheet provides markings for two aircraft:

A-4E, WL-7, Buno 151087, VMA-311, USMC
A-4F, NP-401 'Lady Jessie', Buno 155022, VA-154, USS Hancock, USN

This sheet also contains a set of stencils, walkways and national markings for one aircraft.

CED48148 - A-4F/G Skyhawks - MSRP: $8.99 USD

This sheet provides markings for two aircraft:

A-4F, NP-500, Buno 154173, VA-55, USS Hancock, USN
A-4G, N-13, Buno 155061, RAN

This sheet provides one set of stencils and walkways, while both sets of national markings (US and Australian) are included.

U-2 Dragon Lady

We had a look at Cutting Edge's first U-2 decal sheet, CED48049 in October. Since then, they've released another batch of markings and a set of maintenance stencils:

CED48150 - U-2A/C/D/F #2 - MSRP $8.99 USD

This sheet provides markings for five aircraft:

U-2D, 66721, AFFTC, Edwards AFB, 1967
U-2F, 66680, 4080 SRW, Laughlin AFB, 1966
U-2C, N809X (66689), CIA
U-2A, 66717, 4080 SRW, Laughlin AFB
U-2A-1, 66714, HASP, 4080 SRW, Laughlin AFB

This sheet also includes two sets of white wing walkway stripes and stencils enough for one aircraft. You'll need additional national markings to complete the job.

CED48151 - U-2 Stencils & CIA Serial Numbers - MSRP - $8.99 USD

This sheet provides the remaining markings not found on sheets CED48149 and CED48150, as well as provides two complete sets of black wing walkway stripes for the natural metal U-2s.

F-86D Sabre Dogs

Rounding out this group of releases, Cutting Edge produced four sets of F-86D decal sheets, two of which were targeted for the Revell-Monogram (US) released early version F-86D, and two for the Revell/Germany released late version F-86D. Everybody wins here!

CED48153 - F-86D Part 1 - 97th FIS Nose Art - MSRP: $8.99 USD

This sheet features five F-86Ds of the 97th FIS based at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio circa 1955:

F-86D, 52-3583, 97 FIS, 'K.O.'
F-86D, 52-3702, 97 FIS, 'Last Shot'
F-86D, 52-3704, 97 FIS, 'Road Runner'
F-86D, 52-3863, 97 FIS, 'Dennis the Menace'
F-86D, 52-3738, 97 FIS, 'Joan of Arc'

This set is intended for the Revell-Monogram (US) issue of the F-86D kit.

CED48154 - F-86D Part 2 - 469 FIS Commander, 1954 - MSRP $8.99 USD

As the title indicates, the entire sheet provides all of the markings for the commander's aircraft, 51-8500 of the 469th FIS. This set is intended for the Revell/Germany issue of the F-86D kit.

CED48155 - F-86D Part 3 - MSRP $11.99 USD

This sheet features three rather unique aircraft:

F-86D, 51-6024, 97 FIS, Wright-Patterson AFB, 1953 National Airshow Markings
F-86D, 53-1001, 498 FIS, 'Texas Terror', Geiger AFB, 1956
F-86D, 51-4105, Yugoslavian AF

This set also includes a set of BlackMagic paint masks for the black nose swoosh design on the Yugoslav aircraft. This set is intended for the Revell/Germany kit.

CED48156 - F-86D/L Part 4 - MSRP $8.99 USD

This sheet covers two aircraft:

F-86L, 53-0704, 108 FIS, Illinois ANG
F-86D, 52-4247, 4 FIS, Misawa AB Japan

This set is designed for the Revell/Germany kit. The F-86L markings will also require the Cutting Edge F-86L Conversion.

Conclusions

While there have been a few decal offerings elsewhere for the Revell F-86D kit, I've been a bit disappointed (until now) with the number of decal options that have been offered for the Hasegawa Skyhawk. These offerings from Cutting Edge for both aircraft subjects are quite colorful and beautifully executed. The print registry of every decal sheet is spot-on!

What is truly interesting is Cutting Edge's revival of the old 1/48 U-2 kit. While Testors has had this kit in production almost forever (and Hawk before it), virtually nobody in the aftermarket world has paid any attention to the subject. Cutting Edge has released three decal sheets (one of which we reviewed last October) and quite a few resin detail sets (reviewed elsewhere in this issue).

I highly recommend these sheets! You can either order these decals from your local hobby retailer, or direct from Meteor Productions (www.meteorprod.com). My sincere thanks to Meteor Productions for these review samples!