| Scale | 1/72 |
| Manufacturer | Caracal Models |
| Decal Sheet ID | CD72062 |
| Decal Sheet Title | C-130H "Guard Herks" |
| Types Featured | C-130H |
DISCLAIMER: USAF SIG does not vouch for the accuracy or otherwise of any item - we review what we see so that you, the modeller, can make up your own mind! However, where we are aware of errors or omissions, we will note this in our review.
Very few decal sheets have been produced for the C-130 Hercules, so sheet CD72062 from Caracal Models is welcome, covering 13 different ANG units. The aircraft featured are:
- C-130H 74-2063 from the 103d AW, Connecticut ANG. This carried a yellow fin band containing "FLYING YANKEES" in yellow on a black lightning flash, and "CONNECTICUT AIR GUARD" in black on the sponsons;
- C-130H 90-1794 from the 179th AW, Ohio ANG during 2008. This carried anniversary markings comprising black/white invasion stripes on the rear fuselage and wings, with the spinners painted with red/yellow bands and the front of the nacelles carrying two rows of red/yellow chequers. Nose art was carried including 60th anniversary art, "Spirit of CRESTLINE" over the crew entry door and full colour wing and ANG badges. On the lower fin was "1948-2008" and "179th Airlift Wing 60th Anniversary" in black, and tyhe outer sides of the wing fuel tanks carried a a red/yellow band with "Fighters for Victory" in black. Standard Ohio ANG artwork included a red tailband outlined in black and containing "MANSFIELD" in black, and "OHIO AIR GUARD" on the sponsons;
- C-130H 81-0626 from the 179th AW, Ohio ANG. It carried the standard Ohio ANG markings as noted above;
- C-130H 91-1238 from the 123d AW, Kentucky ANG carried a white fin band with "Kentucky" in blue superimposed, and "KENTUCKY AIR GUARD" in black on the sponsons. This aircraft also carried nose art;
- C-130H 93-2042 from the 182d AW, Illinois ANG. It carried an orange fin band, outlined in black with "PEORIA" in black, and "ILLINOIS AIR GUARD" on the sponsons;
- C-130H 80-0326 from the 165th AW, Georgia ANG which carried a red fin stripe with "SAVANNAH" in white and "GEORGIA AIR GUARD" on the sponsons;
- C-130H 92-1531 from the 153d AW, Wyoming ANG. This carried a yellow win band with "Wyoming" in black, and black "WYOMING AIR GUARD" on the sponsons;
- C-130H 90-1798 from the 139th AW, Missouri ANG. It carried "ST JOSEPH" in black on the fin and black "MISSOURI AIR GUARD" on the sponsons;
- C-130H 74-1671 from the 120th AW, Montana ANG. This carried a grey fin stripe containing "Montana" in yellow and large "steer" artwork in two shades of grey on the lower fin, together with black "MONTANA AIR GUARD" markings on the sponsons;
- C-130H 82-0057 from the 176th AW, Alaska ANG, carrying a yellow fin striped with "The Last Frontier" in black and "ALASKA AIR GUARD" on the sponsons in black;
- C-130H 95-6712 from the 130th AW, West Virgina ANG carrying a dark blue stripe containing "CHARLIE WEST" in yellow and "WEST VIRGINIA AIR GUARD" in black on the sponsons;
- C-130H 95-1001 from the 133d AW, Minnesota ANG. This carried a brown fin stripe containing "Minnesota" in yellow, and "MINNESOTA AIR GUARD" in black on the sponsons;
- C-130H 85-1365 from the 136th AW, Texas ANG. It cvarried a blue fin band with "TEXAS" in white, and black "TEXAS AIR GUARD" markings on the sponsons.
All aircraft were painted AMC Grey/Proud Grey FS36173 and markings were predominantly black. All aircraft also carried a large US flag on the upper fin.
Instructions are comprehensive and provide left and right side views for options 1 & 2, plus left side views for the other options, all in full colour. A separate insert provides upper and lower views plus additional scrap views for option 2.
No less than FOUR decal sheets are provided. The first provides all the artwork, the second all of the black markings and the fourth black striping for wing walkways. The fourth sheet provides red chequers for option 2. Stencilling is provide for a single aircraft and the decals are printed by Cartograf in perfect register.
If you like C-130s, this is a highly recommended sheet!
Review and images by Chris St Clair
