AOA Decals | 32-029: VMA (AW)-533 Hawks USMC A-6A Intruders in the Cold War Part 1

Reviewed by Brian Leitch

This is another brand new release of markings from AOA Decals for the 1/32nd Trumpeter A-6 kit.

Just like the Sunday Punchers review, the history of the Intruder has been covered extensively so I won't go over the long and storied history of the A-6. I will instead, concentrate on this new release from AOA decals for the VMA (AW)-533 Hawks.

What You Get

The sheet we are going over is 32-029: VMA (AW)-533 Hawks USMC A-6A Intruders in the Cold War Part 1. This AOA decal sheet covers 3 A-6A schemes with a set of stencils to cover one complete airframe.

This sheet covers 3 A-6A airframes from the cold war area spanning 1970 - 1975.

AOA have Included a separate of intake/rescue stencils with this sheet with this sheet. The stencils, like the main decal sheet are very nicely printed by MicroScale, and are in perfect register.

The AOA decal set contains enough data/stencil markings provided for one complete airframe.

The decals themselves are extremely colorful, and include stencil data and detailed instructions on placement.

This 1/32nd decal sheet includes marking options for 3 A-6As, all based in Japan from 1970 - 1975:

AOA provides enough data/stencil markings for one complete aircraft along with a stencil placement guide. The stencils like the main sheet are printed by MicroScale, and are very well done:

The Decals

The decals are printed by MicroScale, are very opaque yet thin, the artwork is very clearly legible under magnification and the printing is all in perfect register and bright. The decals themselves are extremely colorful and provide 3 very nicely done schemes. The carrier film on this AOA sheet is so thin as to be almost imperceptible, and significant effort is needed to even see it on the sheet. The decals are very professionally done, and it shows when you get your hands on the sheet in person:

Conclusion

If you are planning on building one of Trumpeters 1/32nd A-6 kits there are some really colorful and well documented schemes in this set.

This AOA sheet is a step above the decals provided in the kit, and along with the nicely done stencil sheet are well worth the price. The instructions and documentation alone make this one of best ways to upgrade/personalize your 1/32nd A-6 kit.

These A-6 decal sets from AOA are everything you look for in after market decals; clear, precise, opaque and in perfect register with full documentation and stencil placement to go with it. HIGHLY recommended!

Estimated price:

32-029 - VMA(AW)-533 HAWKS (1) USMC A-6A Intruders in the Cold War - $13.50 (FREE shipping within US).

Thank you to Steve at AOA Decals for the review sample.

© Brian Leitch 2018

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This review was published on Thursday, November 15 2018; Last modified on Tuesday, April 09 2019