Reviewed by Rodger Kelly
 

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Two more Bugs from CAM on this sheet.  This time both of them are United States Marine Corps squadrons. 

First up is a –C, Bureau number 164268 of VMFA-312 “Checkerboards off the USS Theodore Roosevelt in 1997. 

The aircraft is painted in the standard F/A-18 camouflage of FS 36320 dark ghost grey over FS 36375 light ghost grey with a tan radome. 

Squadron markings comprise:

·        Dark grey with black shadowing AC airwing identifiers for the outboard sides of the vertical stabilizers.

·        Black and white checkerboards edged with red and yellow stipes for the top of the vertical stabilizers - outboard sides only.

·        Two different coloured 202 modex, black for the flaps and grey, edged with black shadow for the nose.

·        VMFA-312 titles for either side the spine, again in grey edged with a black shadow.

·        USS Theodore Roosevelt titles for the base of the vertical stabilizers also in grey with black shadow.

·        Grey “Fights On” for the inner surfaces of the vertical stabilizers.

·        Grey “02” modex for the top of the outboard sides of the vertical stabilizers. 

The remainder of the markings are in grey (with the exception of a complete set of yellow “slime lights”) and include:

• Marines titles for the rear fuselage.

• Bureau numbers.

• Stars and bars

• A reasonably complete set of stencil data.

Next up is another-C, Bureau number 164722 of VMFA-323 “Death Rattlers whilst it was aboard the USS Constellation in 1998. 

CAM have released the markings for this aircraft in 1/32 scale.  Unfortunately they mixed up the colours of the markings on that sheet and got it wrong.  Go here for the review of that sheet, which includes reference images of the tail of the subject aircraft:

http://www.kitreview.com/reviews/fa18cdecalreviewrk_1.htm

The same errors have been reproduced on this sheet which means you cannot use the markings to produce a 1/48 scale version of this machine.  Hopefully, CAM will rectify these errors in subsequent runs of this sheet. 

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

Decal placement is guided by an A-4 sized sheet in landscape format that shows side profiles of both aircraft as well as views of the inner sides of the vertical stabilizers for both aircraft, and half plan views to show placement of the stars and bars and modex.  Colour profiles are also provided on the header card.   

The decals themselves are printed by Microscale so you know that they are going to work.  The decals, placement guide and cardboard header come packed in a clear plastic Ziploc bag. 

It is a pity that the markings for the “Death Rattlers” option are wrong as would produce, by USMC standards at least, a fairly colourful Bug with the yellow and brown sashes over the spine, fin and drop tanks. 

Recommended for the “Checkerboards” option only.

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 © 2002 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 10 November, 2002
Last updated 14 August, 2003

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