Reviewed by Rodger Kelly
 

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FirstLook

Sheet CED48249 continues Cutting Edge's coverage of the F/A-18C Hornet during Operation Iraqi Freedom.  It provides markings for two Atlantic fleet machines, a CAG bird and a CO's machine. 

Both aircraft are in the standard Hornet tactical paint scheme of FS 3620 dark ghost grey upper surfaces over FS 36375 light ghost grey, tan radomes. 

The first machine is Bureau number 164627, the CAG bird of VFA-15 Valions.   The markings for this machine are unusual for a Valions machine in that they are in black and yellow rather than the Squadron's usual blue and yellow colours.  The supplied markings comprise: 

·        300 modex for the sides of the nose, tops of the vertical stabilizers in black edged in yellow.  A further set of plain black 300s are supplied for the tops of the flaps. 

·        AJ airwing identifiers for the outer surfaces of the rudders, again, in black edged with yellow 

·        Full colour national insignia in four places. 

·        VFA-15 scripts for the spine – yep, black edged in yellow. 

·        CAG and DCAG names beneath the canopy (CAG on the left side and DCAG on the right side). 

·        Bureau number data block, and NAVY scripts – the NAVY is edged in yellow. 

·        The VALIONS rocket riding lion squadron insignia for the vertical stabilizer in black and yellow (with a white rocket). 

·        VALIONS scripts for the drop tanks.  The two outer tanks have yellow edged scripts whilst the centre line tank ones are plain black. 

·        Yellow "Golden Spanner" awards for both sides of the spine. 

·        A "Don’t Tread on Me" flag for the right hand side of the nose.  This is a two-part decal with the snake being separate. 

·        The main and larger items of stencil data in black and yellow.  These include the intake warnings and tail hook warnings, ejection seat triangles, and warning placards. 

Bureau number 164627, the CO's bird of VFA-105 Gunslingers.  Bright would be an apt description of her markings as just about all of them are in green and yellow.   They comprise: 

·        Green and yellow 401 modex for the sides of the nose, tops of the vertical stabilizers and tops of the flaps. 

·        AC airwing identifiers for the outer surfaces of the rudders. 

·        Full colour national insignia in four places. 

·        VFA-105 scripts and swooshes for the spine. 

·        CO's name beneath the canopy on the left side with a further, different name for the right hand side.  Two different decals are supplied for the CO's name as Cutting Edge's research found that it appeared in both styles.  The names are in plain green. 

·        Airman and Sailor of The Year names for the nose gear doors. 

·        The words "GIVE EM HELL!" in green for both sides of the nose. 

·        "Warheads..on Foreheads" scripts in green for both sides of the LEX. 

·        Maintenance M/Golden Spanner award for both sides of the spine. 

·        USS HARRY S. TRUMAN titles, Bureau number data block, and NAVY scripts for the rear fuselage. 

·        GUNSLINGERS squadron insignia for the vertical stabilizer. 

·        GUNSLINGERS scripts for the drop tanks. 

·        A scoreboard consisting of bombs and missile outlines for the nose (both sides). 

·        The intake warnings the in green and yellow as well as the larger items of stencil data – in grey. 

A small selection of grey stencil data (a single set) is also provided to be shared by both aircraft. 

Sufficient decals are supplied to produce either option.  Get another set of national insignia from your stash, and you can do both. 

The decal placement guide follows Cutting Edge’s normal fashion of a full colour double-sided a-4 sized sheet.  It shows a left hand side views on the front and in the centre pages as well as a single top view on the back. 

As per usual, Cutting Edge does not identify the printer of the decal sheet.  My bet is that it was Microscale; such is the quality of the printing.  The decal sheet and placement guide come packed in a clear plastic zip-loc bag. 

The recommended kit is the Hasegawa F/A-18C. 

A nice sheet from Cutting Edge that gives right up to date markings for two colourful machines. 

Recommended. 

Post Script

 I have included a couple of shots of the subject aircraft.  They are courtesy of Mr Paul Newman who photographed them aboard the USS Truman when it visited the UK in July 2003.  Thanks Paul!

Thanks to Cutting Edge Modelworks for the review samples..

Review Copyright © 2004 by Rodger Kelly
Photographs Copyright © 2003 by Paul Newman
This Page Created on 18 March, 2004
Last updated 17 March, 2004

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