USFS Firewatch Cobra
DRAW Decal will release this new decalsheet during the IPMS Nationals 2008 held in Virginia Beach this August. The decals, based on artwork of Tim Bradley, cover Firewatch Cobras in service with the US Forest Service. We received the set upfront and had a look:
Fire watch cobras
In 2003, the US Forest Service (USFS) acquired 25 AH-1Fs from the US Army that were retired from active military service in 1996.
The modified attack helicopter is now equipped with low-light and high-resolution color cameras. It has infrared capability to see through smoke and it delivers real-time video to fire managers on the ground. The Firewatch cobra helicopter has already been successfully used on fires in Southern California (Pine, Crown and Foothill fires).
Decals
The decalsheet provides markings for two Firewatch Cobras of the USFS. The registration numbers provided are N107Z and N109Z. These are the new Digital Silk decals and not ALPS as seen on older sets from DRAW Decal. They are printed with good colour saturation and excellent register.
The logo of the US Forrest Service is nicely done. In 48th scale the small text "Department of Agriculture" is still readable. The logo contained in the sheet has the white background.
If you prefer to paint the yellow bands instead of using the decals extra black stripes are provided.
Here is a close up of some of the artwork done by Tim Bradley.
The white "Fire Ghost" is on the right side on the bump under the window and the black one appears on the left as seen on the profile.
AH-1 Cobra kits
Draw decal suggests for both scales the early Fujimi AH-1S Tow Cobra, this Cobra uses the early small exhaust housing, not the Step 3 style
- 1/48 Fujimi AH-1S TOW Cobra Helicopter
- 1/72 Fujimi AH-1S TOW Cobra Helicopter (Kit #7A22 ) + Eduard AH-1S photo etch set #72-318
This set just provides you the decals. The FLIR pod, the bulged windows and other small parts will need to be build from scratch.
Instruction sheet & References
The instruction sheet can be seen on top of this page. It is printed in color and provides information on decal placement and painting instructions (Gloss white and International Orange). For the right hand side you'll need to check the provided online references as only the left side of the helicopter is printed:
Conclusion
A very nice set that provides us with markings for this interesting Firewatch Cobra.
The sheet is also available in 1/72nd scale for the price of $8.