US decal maker Two Bobs now has a new 1/48 sheet with two schemes for the EA-18G Growler.
Aircraft enthusiasts and modellers very much got used to the longevity of the characterful EA-6B Prowler… the US Navy/Marine Corps jet tasked with suppression of enemy air defences (SEAD). The Prowler had an impressive career that spanned just short of 50 years, finally being retired in 2019 by the US Marines. Its role was assumed by that anti-radar offshoot of the F/A-18F Super Hornet – the EA-18G Growler – which carries the same ALQ-99 electronic warfare pod employed by the Prowler, as well as the AGM-88 High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile.
Growler offers modellers the opportunity to build a more exotic Super Hornet variant, and the fact has not been missed by Two Bobs. In this its 20th anniversary this year, the firm has released a splendid new two-livery decal package for anyone building either Academy, Hasegawa, Hobby Boss, Italeri or Meng Model growlers. It’s entitled EA-18G Rooks and Jackets (48-278).
If you favour fast jets, read about Two Bobs’ Lakenheath F-15C Eagle decals
The two aircraft represented (one from the Atlantic Fleet, the other Pacific) both wear standard Tactical Paint Scheme shades of FS 36375 and FS 36320, with black-background tails featuring their own examples of squadron artwork. They are:
• BuNo 168266/500/AB, VAQ-137 ‘Rooks’
• BuNo166896/510/NL, VAQ-138 ‘Yellow Jackets’
Extra flourishes of décor are supplied for fuel tanks; low-vis grey chequers and unit motif feature on the ‘Rooks’ tank, while a large yellow lightning flash and the legend ‘rampage’ adorns the tank of the ‘Yellow Jackets’ machine. Stencil decals are given for the airframe and ALQ-99 pods, along with formation light strips. The decals are admirable thin, sharply printed and sit on gloss carrier film.
Two Bobs’ instructions are as helpful as usual, featuring colour profile, plan and underside illustrations of both aircraft, and paint reference quotations for Federal Standard, AK Interactive, Hataka, Mr Color and Mr Paint brands. The sheet costs $15 and is available direct from Two Bobs, or in the UK at Hannants.
