S u m m a r y
|
Catalogue
Number and Description: |
48-113 - Hornets' Nest |
Scale: |
1/48 |
Contents and Media: |
Decal sheet;
instruction sheet with a colour cardboard header |
Price: |
USD$9.00 |
Review Type: |
FirstLook |
Advantages: |
Colourful;
complete set of stencils supplied - readable under magnifying
glass; decals sharply printed and in perfect register |
Disadvantages: |
Some mods
required to depict the "B" model; couple of minor glitches (see
fixes in text) |
Recommendation: |
Recommended |
Reviewed by Rodger Kelly
HyperScale is proudly sponsored by
Squadron
A brand new sheet from Custom
Aeronautical Miniatures (CAM Decals) that provides right up to date
markings for F/A-18C CAG birds from two of the Atlantic Fleet
squadrons that took part in Operation Enduring Freedom in 2002.
First is Bureau number 165214
belonging to VFA-34 “Blue Blasters” of CVW-17 aboard the USS George
Washington.
Finish is the standard Hornet
scheme of FS 3620 dark ghost grey upper surfaces over FS 36375 light
ghost grey, tan radome with a stainless steel tip. The fin caps are
painted in the Squadron’s mid blue. No FS number or model paint match
is given for this blue and the placement guide tells you to match it
to the blue of the decals. Not a big deal really but it would have
been nice to see the fin caps supplied as decals.
The majority of decals for
this aircraft are in the same squadron blue colour. They consist of:
- CVW-10’s AA airwing
identifiers for the outer surfaces of the rudders.
- 200 modex for the sides of
the nose and tops of the flaps. The modex is in a very different
font to that normally seen on US Naval aircraft.
- CVW-17 scripts for the
spine.
- USS Washington scripts for
the base of the outer surfaces of the vertical stabilizers.
- Blue Blasters scripts for
the drop tank.
- CAG and DCAG names beneath
the canopy. Incidentally, the CAG is CAPT D.R. Potts, a well known
contributor to this site.
- Bureau number data block.
National insignia, and Navy scripts.
The full colour decals are:
§
A red white and blue coloured VFA-34
squadron insignia of a smoking winged skull whose eyes and nose are
cleverly depicted as and old fashioned batsman for the outer surface
of the port vertical stabilizer.
§
A blue and white playing card Joker
wielding a .50 Cal machine gun for the outer surface of the starboard
vertical stabilizer. This is the old WWII VF-20 "Jokers" squadron
insignia from which VFA-34 descended.
The remainder of the decals
are in grey with the exception of white 00s for the fin caps. The
grey decals are the more easily seen stencil data items – the intake
warnings ejector seat/rescue information, arrestor hook warnings,
walkways for the fuselage chines, and exhaust blast warnings. A set
of yellow slime lights are also included.
Unusual for CAM, they don’t
include a comprehensive set of stencil data. Don’t be too upset about
this though as it may be quite right for this aircraft. The data does
tend to disappear under the constant touch ups that these aircraft
receive aboard carries in the never ending battle against corrosion.
For some great reference shots
of this aircraft follow the links
US Navy Digital Images site
at:
http://www.news.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=1900
http://www.news.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=1898
http://www.news.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=2954
http://www.news.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=1858
These shots have been taken
over the period of 165214’s life as a CAG. Notice that there are
several differences in the way the aircraft is marked in the different
pictures than it has been depicted on the decal sheet. Don’t be
alarmed and think that the sheet is wrong as is detail changes do
occur.
The second aircraft is Bureau
number 164627, the CAG of VFA-15 “Valions” when it was aboard the USS
Enterprise as a part of CVW-8 in 2001.
Overall camouflage finish is
the same as the Blue “Blasters”, FS 3620 dark ghost grey upper
surfaces over FS 36375 light ghost grey, tan radome with a stainless
steel tip.
On this basic background the
corrosion control guys at VFA-15 have livened up the squadron markings
by painting them in blue and yellow. In fact just about all of the
markings on the aircraft are in blue and yellow! These markings are
all provided as decals and they consist of:
- A stripe that follows the
leading edge of the vertical stabilizers (inside and out) and
extends across the vertical stabilizer beneath the fin cap. The
Word Estocin in cursive script is placed in the centre of the
stripe. This is to signify that VFA-15 has won the coveted CAPT
Michael J. Estocin Award for the best F/A-18 squadron in the U.S.
Navy. A dry fit against the Hasegawa kit reveals that these decals
fit perectly.
- The AJ airwing identifier
for the outboard sides of the rudders.
- The squadron insignia of a
lion riding a missile. This insignia is a reincarnation of one
previously used by the squadron when it flew A-4s.
- Navy scripts, VFA-15
scripts for the fuselage spine, 300 modex for the nose and tops of
the vertical stabilizers.
- The Atlantic Fleet “Battle
E” award.
- Selected stencil data
including the intake warning triangles, ejector seat triangles,
exhaust blast warning and arrestor hook warning.
Black decals include:
- The walkways for the
fuselage chines, 300 modex for the tops of the flaps (there is an
extra pair provided as well so you get four in all), Valions scripts
for the drop tanks, CAG and DCAG names for side of the fuselage
underneath the cockpit (both sides), The Bureau number data block.
A set of slime lights, as well
as a set of full-colour national insignia round out the markings for
this aircraft. As with the VFA-34 aircraft, the stencil data is
limited and the same comments apply.
CAM has included a correction
set with this sheet. The original sheet features the blue of the
squadron markings as a medium blue and some of the other decals in
different colours (the fin top modex, arrestor hook warning data).
The replacement sheet supplies the markings in the more correct darker
blue and lighter yellow – nice move Cam Decals). Reference photos of
this aircraft can be found on Betrand “Big Bear” Delest’s excellent
website at:
http://www.amv83.org/navycag/vfa/vfa15bigE.jpg
Other shots from around the
web are:
http://www.airshots.com/cvw8/f1821fn98.htm
The same comments apply for
this aircraft with regard to differences in the markings.
Decal placement is guided by
an A-4 sized sheet that has black and white side profile drawings as
well as smaller drawings to illustrate details that are not readily
evident. This sheet also provides limited colour notes as well as a
list of sources used when the sheet was researched. The same side
profiles also appear on the header card but this time they are in
colour.
The placement guide, three
decal sheets and the header card are all packed in a clear plastic
zip-loc bag.
The decals themselves have
been printed by Microscale so you know that they will work. They are
all sharp, clear and in perfect register.
The placement guide recommends
the Hasegawa and Monogram kits. However, if the rumour of a new-tool
late model –C from Revell proves correct I know where this set will
find a home.
This is a great sheet by Cam
Decals and it is Recommended
Thanks to
Brookhurst Hobbies for
the review sample.
CAM Decals are available online
from their website at
http://www.camdecals.com and from
Brookhurst Hobbies
CAM Decals 59 page 2002 color
catalog of decals and resin parts is also
now available through the CAM Decals website
Review Copyright © 2003 by
Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 23 January, 2003
Last updated
14 August, 2003
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