USS Constellation 2001
(F-14D, F/A-18C)

Pt. II
 

AeroMaster Decals
 

Reviewed by Rodger Kelly

Aeromaster Decals' 1/48 scale USS Constellation 2001 Part 2
is available online from Squadron.com

Aeromaster 48-562 is the second sheet of a two part issue covering the fighter/attack squadrons of CVW-2 based aboard the USS Constellation in 2001. 

This sheet covers two aircraft, an F/A-18C of VMFA-323 and an F-14D of VF-2. 

The first aircraft is Bureau number 164721, the CAG aircraft of VMFA-323 “Death Rattlers”.  The aircraft is painted in the standard F/A-18 Tactical Paint Scheme (TPS) of FS 36320 dark ghost grey over FS 36375 light ghost grey with the radome being tan with a bare metal tip. 

Although a CAG bird, the aircraft is totally devoid of any colour at all.  The markings consist of:

• 200 modex for the nose, tops of flaps and the outer sides of the fin caps.

• Pilot’s name for the fuselage and Plane Captain’s name for the inner surface of the nose undercarriage door.

• VMFA-323 titles for the spine.

• A pair of stylized hornets for the LEX wing fences.

• NE airwing identifiers for the vertical stabilizers.

• USS Constellation and MARINES titles as well as the Bureau number for the rear fuselage.

• The VMFA-323 “sash” for the spine, centre station drop tank as well as the tops of the vertical stabilizers (outside).  Two different sets of these markings are provided.  One set has been sized for the Hasegawa kit with the other being for the Monogram kit – thank you Aeromaster!

The other aircraft is Bureau number 164351 the F-14D of VF-2 “Bounty Hunters”. 

The aircraft is finished in Dark Ghost Grey FS 36320 upper surfaces, Light Ghost Grey FS 36375 lower surfaces and vertical stabilizers, with Medium Grey FS35237 upper nose, canopy frame and fuselage spine. 

The markings consist of: 

• 104 modex for the nose, tops of the wing flaps.  Abbreviated 04 modex are supplied for the top of the vertical stabilizers.

• USS Constellation and NAVY titles as well as the Bureau number for the rear fuselage.

• Bounty Hunter titles for the intake mounted drop tanks.

• VF-2 titles for the fuselage strakes.

• VF-2s distinctive tail markings consisting of a smiling skull superimposed over light grey and dark grey stripes.  The rear ends of the stripes also bear stars.

• Stylized NE airwing identifiers for the vertical stabilizers.

• Pilot’s and RIOs names for the canopy rails (different names for either side) and Plane Captain’s name for the inner and outer surface of the nose undercarriage door.

Stencil data is minimal and comprises of intake warnings and a set of national insignia for each aircraft. 

The placement guide is a full-colour two-sided affair that shows left-hand side profiles of each aircraft as well as a top and bottom view of a generic Hornet.  This sheet also carries the complete and exhaustive instructions on the art of applying decals as seen on USS Constellation 2001 Part 1 sheet (48-561). 

As with Pt 1, the decals have been printed in Italy by Cartograf.  The colours are all correct if a little dark representing freshly applied markings – again, not a criticism!   Everything is sharply printed and in perfect register. 

The decal sheet and placement guide come packed in a clear plastic zip-loc bag. 

A very attractive 1/48 scale replica can be made using the decals on this sheet.  Whilst the markings are all in grey and look drab don’t let that put you off.  Have a look at contemporary images of these aircraft and you will see that they are mottled in a myriad of different shades of greys resulting from the patch painting they receive in an effort to combat corrosion at sea.  Add to that the grime that is walked all over them from the boots of the maintenance crew and you will have a distinctive model. 

I have included a couple of photos of VMFA-323 and VF-2 aircraft that I took aboard the USS Constellation in November 1999 to illustrate this last point. 

A nice sheet from Aeromaster. 

Recommended.