Iliad Design have re-released their popular set of 1:72 decals for the Lockheed TV-2 (the US Navy’s designation for the T-33). The sheet was first reviewed by Jessie_C HERE back in 2014 and the current reprint appears unchanged.

Markings are included for 5 aircraft:
1. TV-2 s/n 138977, NAS Glenview
2. TV-2 drone controller s/n 131885, GMGRU-1, 1959
3. TV-2 s/n 131777, Marine Air Squadron 32
4. TV-2 s/n 137952, Naval Air Training Unit, NAS Glynco, Georgia
5. TV-2 s/n 141532, US Marines, MCAS El Toro, 1961

Once again the decals look superb quality, with correctly muted Insignia Red and Blue (unlike the vivid interpretation on many kit decal sheets). The glossy items are beautifully thin, and the registration is pin sharp on the sample sheet. Excess carrier film is kept to a minimum, trimmed tightly around national insignia and extended to keep grouped elements together.

National insignia and individual markings are provided for all 5 colour schemes, but you’ll need to do a bit of careful rationing with the stencil markings, so it’s a shame there wasn’t a tad more room to squeeze in more.

Accompanying the decals is a full-colour sheet of instructions, with shaded profiles and simpler plan views. Jessie commented that the way Iliad Design show “ghost” markings for what’s on the underside could be confusing for beginners and I see what she means - it does the job, but it’s not as instantly clear as separate top/bottom views.

The colour schemes themselves offer a great variety of finishes, from n/m through Gray to hi-vis Red Orange/White and the spectacular multi-coloured drone controller.

Conclusion

The Shooting Star is a perennial modelling favourite and it’s great to see this set of markings make a very welcome return. It’s certainly tempted to take a fresh look at Platz’s really neat T-33 which always cried out for fresh markings to appeal to a wider market worldwide. If you’re looking to build a US T-Bird with an extra twist of the unusual, this could be just the set of decals for you.

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