Afterburner Decals 1/48
F-111F Lakenheath Varks

Afterburner Decals continues to turn out some impressive decal releases covering contemporary US subjects and this latest set is definitely no exception. This release covers an interesting cross-section of F-111Fs out of RAF Lakenheath, the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing. This unit had the distinction of paying a 'diplomatic' visit to Libya 1986 delivering a significant array of laser-guided bombs onto high value targets. This action was in response to Libya's support of terrorism and a specific bombing in Berlin prior to this raid. Under the banner of Operation El Dorado Canyon, the USAFE F-111Fs struck key targets in conjunction with US Navy airstrikes.

The 48th TFW also had the distinction of delivering the greatest number of laser-guided bombs into Iraq during Operation Desert Storm. While the F-15E Strike Eagle was present in the conflict, the F-111F did the majority of the precision strikes during that conflict using its PAVE TACK tracking/designator pod.

This decal set provides a nice operational cross-section of aircraft from all four squadrons as well as the commanders' mounts. The examples presented here include:

• F-111F, 72-1448, 48 TFW, RAF Lakenheath, Aug 1991, Wing CC's aircraft
• F-111F, 70-2390, 48 TFW, RAF Lakenheath, Nov 1991, Wing CC's aircraft
• F-111F, 71-0884, 492 TFS/48 TFW, RAF Lakenheath, 1991, Squadron CC's aircraft
• F-111F, 70-2403, 493 TFS/48 TFW, RAF Lakenheath, 1991, Squadron CC's aircraft
• F-111F, 74-0178, 494 TFS/48 TFW, RAF Lakenheath, 1992, Squadron CC's aircraft
• F-111F, 70-2391, 495 TFS/48 TFW, RAF Lakenheath, 1991, Squadron CC's aircraft
• F-111F, 70-2364, 494 TFS/48 TFW, RAF Lakenheath, 1991
• F-111F, 70-2370, 494 TFS/48 TFW, RAF Lakenheath, 1991
• F-111F, 70-2386, 493 TFS/48 TFW, RAF Lakenheath, 1984
• F-111F, 70-2387, 494 TFS/48 TFW, RAF Lakenheath, 1991
• F-111F, 70-2413, 492 TFS/48 TFW, RAF Lakenheath, 1991
• F-111F, 71-0892, 494 TFS/48 TFW, RAF Lakenheath, 1991
• F-111F, 72-1451, 493 TFS/48 TFW, RAF Lakenheath, 1991
• F-111F, 72-1450, 494 TFS/48 TFW, RAF Lakenheath, 1992

This set provides two complete set of maintenance stencils and markings to replicate two aircraft, and what a nice selection to choose from!

Definitely recommended!

For more information about this set and the other releases from Afterburner Decals, visit their website at http://www.afterburnerdecals.com.

My sincere thanks to Afterburner Decals for this review sample!