Print Scale 48-213 Decal MV-22B Osprey Part 1 Scale 1:48 for Helicopter Plastic model kit

• Manufacturer: Print Scale (Ukraine)
• Country/Region of Manufacture: Ukraine
• Scale: 1:48
• Model (SKU): Print Scale 48-213
• Condition: New in Box

Characteristics

MV-22 Osprey 168657/YP-00 for VMM-163 at MCAS Miramar, October 31, 2018, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California
The VMM-163 special Osprey (00-8657) features artwork on the external sides of the vertical tails: the right one has a Grim Reaper with an “Evil Eyes” patch, whereas the left one has a Grim Reaper with the “Ridge Runners” patch. Formed as HMR(L)-163 in 1951, then HMM-163, the squadron earned the nickname “Ridge Runners” due to typhoon rescue and relief operations in the mountainous terrain surrounding Hagman, Japan.
It is also known as the “Evil Eyes,” a unit symbol dating back to December 1965. In December 1965, LtCol Charles A. House took command of the squadron, newly relocated to MCAS Futema, Okinawa. With only one month before returning to Vietnam, LtCol House and his veteran pilots decided a unit symbol was needed to boost morale and esprit de corps, especially for newly assigned personnel. Capt Al Barbe, the Squadron Intelligence Officer and husband to a Thai bride, suggested that eyes painted on the unit aircraft might unsettle the enemy due to Asian cultural beliefs, thus creating the concept of “The Eyes” on HMM-163 aircraft.
On January 1, 1966, HMM-163 flew via C-130 to Phu Bai, Vietnam, relieved HMM-161, and took over their H-34 helicopters. Painting of what were then called “Genie Eyes” (inspired by the “I Dream of Jeannie” TV show) began immediately. By March 1966, HMM-163’s “Genie Eyes” were being called “Evil Eyes” by the ground units the squadron supported.