TG Decals Boeing 737 in uniform. 1:144 TG Decals (Part 1 44003, Part 2 44004)

[Viking]

 Boeing 737 in uniform.

1:144 -TG Decals.

 

The Boeing 737 in all its versions is the worlds best selling jet airliner, with over 10,000 having been produced since 1967 and production still continuing. A very small proportion of these can be found serving in a military role with various air forces around the the globe.

New from TG Decals are two sets of decals covering the 'Classic' 737 -300, -400, -500, and a single 'New generation' -800, all in use with South American Air Forces.

 

44003 Boeing 737 in uniform. Part 1.

 

The first #44003 covers one Mexican 737-800, and a Peruvian 737-500 with two variations. Suitable kits will be the Revell or Zvezda 737-800, and a Daco-Skyline 737-500. It would also be possible to shorten a Minicraft  737-300 or -400 down to a -500.

 

The 737-800 is in overall dark grey, including the wings and tailplanes which on their civilian counterparts would be in light grey colours. A splash of colour on the rudder stripes and national insignia on the engine cowlings sets if off nicely. Black titling for 'FUERZA AEREA MEXICANA' goes where you would normally expect to see the airlines name, giving an mean and purposeful look.

There a nice line up of 3 of them on Airliners. net Here.

 

The next two options cover a single Peruvian 737-500, FAP-356, from 2015 when it wore an overall grey low-viz scheme, and 2018 when it was modified with a little more colour.
Like the Mexican machine it is painted overall grey, although in a lighter shade.

 

The differences are that the later version has a full colour flag and '100' logo on the fin, a badge by the front doors, and red 'El Peru Primero' titles on the side.

Delivered in 1995 as a Presidential/VIP machine and still in service, FAP-356 has been a regular visitor to European airports, so could well line up on any 1/144 scale airport ramp!

The decal sheet itself is screen printed to an extremely high standard. The carrier film looks to be thin and  minimal, while the colours are spot on.

 

Most impressive is the sharpness of it all. The details on the flags and badges are absolutely perfect and can only really be appreciated under a magnifying glass.

As well as all the subject markings, the sheet contains an abundance of stenciling and a full set of cabin windows for both aircraft. A nice touch is a block of diagonal red & whit striping to put on the underside blade aerials.

Also included is a set of two complete pre-cut masks for the cockpit glazing. One is for the Mexican -800 (without eyebrow windows), and the other for the Peruvian -500 (with eyebow windows). I always like to keep the cockpit glazing clear on my models, so these will save a fiddly masking job.

 

44004 Boeing 737 in uniform. Part 2

There are four 737s on this sheet, the same -300 in two different schemes, and a pair of -400s in similar schemes. Both Daco/Skyline and Minicraft offer kits of these versions. All are 'combi' aircraft with a large freight door on the forward port side..

 

As with set 44003, a set of cockpit window masks is provided, both with eyebrow windows. A very useful looking nose and anti-glare panel mask is also on the sheet, for the Columbian versions.

All Combi versions have a reinforced 'lip' at the bottom of the cargo opening, which will not be on the Daco or Minicraft kits. TG have helpfully provided these as four self adhesive vinyl stickers. Two are in silver. to apply to the Columbian aircraft after painting, and two are in black to apply before painting the Chilean options.

 

 

The first is an ex-Lufthansa -300 operated by the Chilean Air Force with the ID number 922 on the wings. It is depicted as it was in 2010 in an overall light gray finish that covered the whole airframe. Apart from a small Chilean flag near the nose, the whole thing is very much 'low-viz'. Looking at photos of it on the internet, it seems to very clean and well maintained with a gloss finish, so is possibly used as a VIP transport. It also seems to have made several visits to Europe.

 

A second option is provided for the same aircraft, 922, as it appeared in 2017, by now in a much darker overall grey finish. It has lost the small colourful flag on the nose and even the door outlines are black over the dark grey. Even the overwing escape markings are solid black with a couple of white arrows. All in all a very secretive looking military aircraft.

 

The third and fourth offerings are Columbian Air Force -400's, two different aircraft in similar schemes from 2015. They are overall medium grey with light grey undersides, and a wavy demarcation line between the two colours. Both feature black nose cones and anti-glare panels, topped off with very smart lining around the cockpit windows. A splash of colour is provided by the Columbian roundels and flag on the tail. The top of the tail fin sports a yellow flash much like those seen on US transports. Within each is the individual aircraft name 'Atlas' or 'Cronos', after mythological gods. Again these aircraft seem to very well maintained and have a glossy finish.

 

Again the decals are superbly done, with beautifully sharp printing and good colour density. The carrier film is very thin and almost invisible, so they should perform very well.

Conclusion.

TG decals is a new name to me, and I have to say I am very impressed and I love the more unusual subjects.
The decals are beautifully printed and of the highest quality. Although it doesn't say where, the instructions state that they were printed in the USA. I'm guessing that this was Microscale. They are well researched and the instructions are excellent, being in full colour and with top, bottom and both side views of each individual aircraft. Each individual decal is numbered and its location noted on the instructions, something not always done by other decal manufacturers. Another much appreciated fact is that paint references are provided for Model Master, Humbrol, Tamiya, Gunze Sangyo, Vallejo, Revell, Like Colour, and Hataka.

 

Well done TG, these sets are beautifully produced and presented and deserve to do well.

 

Review sample courtesy of

 

 

 

 

[Romeo Alpha Yankee]

Thanks for the review John, I have been collecting images of these aircraft and was wondering when someone would do some decals. There goes the hip pocket nerve again!