HMM-261(rein) Heavy Haulers

This sheet 48-MAW011 HMM-261(rein) Heavy Haulers was released by MAW Decals at the end of July  2008 and contains alternative USMC markings for the Academy CH-53E.  The decals are currently available for $10.99. Here is a view on what you get.

Decals

The set contains two decal sheets and includes markings for two CH-53E Super Stallions that deployed with the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) from November 2005 to April 2006. During this deployment they flew in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as the heavy lift asset of the 22d MEU's Air Combat Element.

The sheets meet the expected high quality as seen on previous MAW Sheets. The individual decals themselves look very thin, crisp and appear to be in perfect register on my two sheets.

The first sheet, printed by Cartograf, contains the markings the two Super Stallions. Also included on this sheet are decals for the Chaff/Flare bucket decals and a set of silver, yellow and dark blue loads. If you want you could mix the loads by cutting apart the provided decals.

The nose-gear art is a black cross with the yellow text "East Coast Shitters". MAW provided two different methods for applying the nose gear art. Applying the yellow letters over the black cross should give the appearance of yellow paint applied over black paint. The second method where you apply the black cross over the yellow cross will give you a more brilliant color finish.

The second sheet, printed by Microscale, contains the walkways. The walkways in the kit are not bad but some parts for the external fuel tanks are missing and the quality of the MAW walkways is just better. Those of you just interested in the CH-53E walkways, they are also available seperatly: #48-MAW009

Markings

Markings are provided for following 2 Super Stallions:

• CH-53E Super Stallion, HMM-261(Reinforced) 22D MEU, Modex 21, BuNo. 162252 November 2005 - April 2006
• CH-53E Super Stallion, HMM-261(Reinforced) 22D MEU, Modex 23, BuNo. 161995 November 2005 - April 2006

Instruction sheets

The  full color instructions provide information for the placement of the decals. You also get a list off available aftermarket products for the CH-53E. The instructions are clear and the different decals can be clearly identified. As you can see below the instructions include 2 side views, a top and a bottom view of each helicopter.

Conclusion

Another great sheet by MAW Decals. Based on the quality of the printing, the interesting markings and the correct price I can only recommend these decals.