Begemot 1/72 Russian Air and Space Force Board Numbers and Additional Insignia (Type 2018) Decal First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

Begemot Decals is an interesting decal company from Rostov-on-Don, Russia that offers a nice array of markings for Soviet and Russian aircraft. In this release, Begemot provides a utility pack of five decal sheets to replicate board (bort) numbers in a variety of sizes and colors, plus supplemental markings to bring your model up to compliance with post-2018 Russian military markings standards. Let's take a look:

Begemot has previously released decal sets with the early red star national markings as well as the later red star with white outline, and the most recent iteration of the red star with blue and white outlines. The Russian Air Force became the Russian Air and Space Force (VVS to VKS) and the tail markings were changed from VVS Rossii (BBC POCCNN) to VKS Rossii (BKC POCCNN) (apologies for the backwards I (N). This set provides bort numbers in five sizes and in blue, red, yellow-orange, black, white, and white surround. In addition, the revised VKS identifications with their associated 'civil' registration numbers in black and white are also included. The largest bort numbers might be good for the larger bombers in 1/72, but they're also good for fighters in 1/32, and the smaller sizes will also work in 1/32 and 1/48 depending on the aircraft type.

Whether you're building a 1/72 Tu-95, 1/48 Mi-24, or 1/32 Su-30, these markings will allow you to replicate most of the markings for virtually any full-scale subject.

If you're a modern Russian Air (and Space) Force modeler, you'll want one of these sets on your bench!

For more information about this set and the other releases from Begemot Decals, visit their website at http://www.begemotdecals.ru.

My sincere thanks to Begemot Decals for this review sample!