Part 2 in of the coverage of US Navy F/A-18s in 1/32 scale by Eagle Strike Productions provides markings for two more colourful CAG birds of the Atlantic Fleet. 

The first option is F/A-18C, Bureau number 163446 of VFA-86 'Sidewinders'.  The markings depict it as it appeared when it was assigned to CVW-1 aboard the USS George Washington sometime in 1996.  It wears the standard Hornet Tactical Paint Scheme of FS 36320 dark ghost grey over FS 36375 light ghost grey with a tan radome.  Markings comprise  

• Black with orange shadowing 400 modex for the nose, and tops of the wing flaps.  There is a further pair of modex for the fin caps.  These are in orange and are part of a one-piece decal that incorporates the black of the fin cap.

• CVW-1 titles in black with orange shadowing for the spine.

• A set of black national insignia.

• A full colour CVW-1 insignia for the outer surface of the left hand vertical stabilizer and a full colour squadron insignia for the outer surface of the right hand vertical stabilizer.

• Black with orange shadowing AB airwing identifiers for the inner surfaces of the vertical stabilizers.

• VFA-86's orange diamonds squadron insignia for the outer surfaces of the rudders.

• Black fin caps and leading edges for the vertical stabilizers.

• Black USS George Washington titles with black and orange NAVY tiles and a black Bureau number block for the rear fuselage.

• Black CAG and DCAG titles and names for either side of the nose beneath the windscreen as well as ground crew names for the nose wheel doors.

• Two pair of Sidewinders titles for the drop tanks.

The other option is also a –C, Bureau number 163471, VFA-61’s “Sunliners” CAG bird.  Finish is the same Tactical Paint Scheme of FS 36320 dark ghost grey over FS 36375 light ghost grey with a tan radome.  Markings comprise

• Black 400 modex for the nose, fin caps, and tops of the wing flaps.  The ones for the nose have been painted over the top of small orange chevron squadron marking.

• Black VFA-81 titles for the spine.

• Full colour squadron insignia for the outer surfaces of the vertical stabilizers

• Black AA airwing identifier with an orange lightning bolt for the inner surfaces of the vertical stabilizers

• Two sets of Black SUNLINERS titles and small orange squadron zaps for the drop tanks.

• Black USS WASHINGTON titles with black NAVY tiles and Bureau number block for the rear fuselage.

• Black CAG and DCAG titles and names for either side of the nose beneath the windscreen as well as ground crew names for the nose wheel doors.

• A set of hi-viz national insignia.

Unique stencil data is supplied for each aircraft as required eg: black intake warnings for the Sidewinders option with the corresponding ones in red for the Sunliners option, as well as generic ones for both aircraft.  A reasonable amount stencil data is provided but it is mainly the larger more visible items.  If you are going to apply these to the Academy kit the lack of stencil data is not an issue as the kit's decal sheet contains a comprehensive set.  The LEX walkways are not provided nor are the slime lights. 

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

As with Freedom Hornets Part 1, the decals have been printed by Cartograf.  Admittedly, Cartograf decals are a little more difficult to use than Microscale decals but they do produce equally a good final product if you are patient and use plenty of settling solution.  The sheet is well printed and in perfect register. 

The placement data is the standard A-4 sized sheet with left hand side profiles and top views of both aircraft.  The rear page carries the same dialogue on the weapons that were carried during Operation Iraqi Freedom and the 'load out' configurations. 

The decals – there are two sheets, and placement guide are packed in a clear plastic zip-loc bag. 

The recommended kit is the Academy one. 

This is a nice sheet from Eagle Strike that will result in a colourful model for your shelf. 

Recommended.

Thanks to AeroMaster / Eagle Strike Products for the review sets

On-line sales are available from the AeroMaster Products / Eagle Strike Productions web site.

Review TextCopyright © 2003 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 08 December, 2003
Last updated 08 December, 2003

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