Scale  1/72
Manufacturer  Cutting Edge
Decal Sheet ID  CED72212
Decal Sheet Title  B-52's #5
Types Featured  B-52G, B-52H

Fifth in the line of much-awaited decals from Cutting Edge, this one covers 5 different B-52G/H airframes.

The decals are very thin with minimal carrier film and the registration seems to be spot on. The airframes covered are:-

  • B-52G-85-BW 57-6492 "Old Crow Express" from the 379th BW in the 2 tone grey/green. This aircraft flew 51 missions from Jeddah during Operation Desert Storm;
  • B-52H-BW 61-0022 "Old Yosemite Sam" from the 319th BW in standard SIOP scheme. This was one of at least 2 B-52H's from this unit marked for the 1981 GREAT STRIKE bombing competition at RAF Marham;
  • B-52G-120-BW 59-2594 "Memphis Belle III" from the 97th BW in the late FS36118 Gunship Grey scheme;
  • B-52G-100-BW 58-0210 " Conceived For Liberty" from the 93rd BW in the standard SIOP scheme, with large artwork on the starboard side;
  • B-52G-110-BW 58-0235 "Spirit Of Mount Rushmore" from the 28th BW in the standard SIOP scheme. These markings were carried during the 1972 RAF Bombing Competition where the crew won the Blue Steel Award for best combined bombing score.

For each airframe, Cutting Edge include a side view with details of where individual markings are placed and a top view to show where walkways etc are located. All drawings are in full color. The sheet also includes a vinyl mask for the "Conceived For Liberty" marking on the starboard fuselage of B-52G 58-0210.

One thing I did notice is that color references are provided for the SIOP and gunship grey schemes but NOT for the two tone grey / green scheme - these would be FS36118/34086/36081.

They also make reference to the specific fit out of each airframe, and this would come in handy if using either the DB or Cutting Edge resin conversion sets.

Another very nice sheet!

Review by Chris St Clair