Scale 1/72
Manufacturer Wolfpak Decals
ID 72-029
Title Victor Alert
Types Featured A-4C, F-105D, A-6E, F-111E, F-4E, F-104G

This sheet from Wolfpak decals contains an interesting variety of types used for Victor Alert.

Early in the Cold War, the Strategic Air Command (SAC) had identified more major targets in the Soviet Union, Warsaw Pact and China than it had heavy bombers to deliver nuclear weapons with.  This meant that many targets would go untouched in the first wave of an attack.

Thanks to the development of air-to-air refueling, and lighter nuclear weapons, it became possible for short-range fighters to deliver nuclear bombs, and thus was born the concept of "Victor Alert", also known as "Quick Reaction Alert" (QRA).  Typically, each aircraft would be armed with a single nuclear weapon (although the F-111 had the range to hit two or three targets).

The aircraft covered on this sheet are as follows:-

  • A-4C 148543 from VA-36 aboard USS Saratoga during 1963;
  • F-105D-10-RE 60-0466 from the 22nd TFS, 36th TFW based at Bitburg AFB, Germany, during 1961.  The aircraft is overall natural metal with an Olive Drab fuselage spine and a red/white band on the fin;
  • A-6E 158798 from VA-34 aboard USS John F Kennedy during 1974;
  • F-111E 68-0068 from the 79th TFS, 20th TFW at RAF Upper Heyford during 1974.  Painted in the standard South East Asian scheme of FS34079, FS34102 and FS30219 with black undersides.  "JT" tailcode and AF68 068" in white on the fin;
  • F-4E-40-MC 68-0481 from the 512th TFS, 86th TFW at Ramstein AB, Germany during 1984.  The aircraft is in the wraparound SEA scheme (FS34079, FS34102, FS30219) with a black/yellow chequered fincap, "RS" tailcode and "AF68 481" in black on the fin;
  • F-104G FX-32 from No.10 FBW based at Klein Brogel AFB, Belgium during 1971

The sheet is printed by Fantasy Printshop, the decal film itself is thin and there is very little overlap of film.  As is usual for Wolfpak, the instructions comprise a full colour front sheet with a side view of each aircraft, black & white color schemes and a detailed history of each type with specific information for modellers, including changes needed to the available kits, color call-outs and weapons loadouts.

For anyone who fancies a Victor Alert aircraft, this is a useful sheet.

Review by Chris St Clair, sheet provided courtesy of Wolfpak Decals