Reviewed by Rodger Kelly

Aeromaster Decals' 1/48 scale F-14 Tomcats Part VII
will be available online from Squadron.com

Eagle Strike Productions continues their coverage Grumman's F-14 Tomcat with this sheet that provides markings for two Pacific Fleet aircraft, an early –A as well as a –D. 

The individual aircraft are: 

F-14D Bureau number 158546, Modex 101, (the CO's aircraft) of VF-213 Black Lions.  The markings depict it as it appeared in November 2000 when VF-213 was aboard the USS Carl Vinson as a part of CVW-11. 

Judging from the artwork on the placement guide it looks to be finished in the tactical paint scheme (TPS) FS 36320 dark ghost grey upper surfaces, FS 36375 light ghost grey lower surfaces and vertical stabilizers, with FS 35237 medium grey upper nose, canopy frame and fuselage spine.  The placement guide advises that it "wears the typical U.S. Navy scheme of Ghost Greys and FS 3527 A/G panel as well as most service markings.  Tail appears to be in Dark Grey 36081."  The supplied markings comprise:

• 101 modex for the nose, and abbreviated 01s for the top of the rudders and nose gear door.

• USS Carl Vinson titles for the vertical stabilizers.

• NAVY titles as well as the Bureau number block for the rear fuselage.  The wrong Bureau number block is provided; it should be F-14 D 158546, not F-14A (Tarps) 159210.

• CVW-11 insignia for the vertical stabilisers.

• VF-213's distinctive tail markings consisting of a rampant lion with eight stars.

• NH airwing identifiers for the rudders.

• Pilot’s and RIOs names for the canopy rails (both sides) and Plane Captain’s name for the nose undercarriage door.

• Grey fin caps.  These are supplied as four-part decals.

• Small VF-213 zaps for the drop tanks.

• A set of lo-viz national insignia.

• A set of 'slime lights'.

• A set of lo-viz stencil data – main more visible items only.

F-14A Bureau number 158991, Modex 110, of VF-1 Wolfpack.  The markings depict it as it appeared in April 1980 when VF-1 was aboard the USS Ranger as a part of CVW-2.  

An interesting aircraft, it is from the time between the gull grey and white finish and the present day TPS.  It wears overall gloss gull grey with hi-viz national insignia and full size 'toned down' unit markings.  The gloss finish of the paintwork tended to make these aircraft look 'brand new' even after months at sea as it repelled rather than absorbed the grease and oil that was (is) tracked all over them on the boots of the deck crews.  The supplied markings comprise: 

• 110 modex for the nose, and abbreviated 01s for the top of the rudders and nose gear door.

• NAVY titles as well as the Bureau number block for the rear fuselage.

• VF-1s tail markings consisting of a wolf's head and three stripes for the outer surfaces of the vertical stabilizer and rudder.

• NE airwing identifiers for the inner surfaces of the vertical stabilizers and rudders.

• Grey fin caps.  These are supplied as four-part decals.

• Grey ventral strakes incorporating white VF-1 titles.  The placement guide shows the VF-1 tiles as white with red outlines but the decals are just white.  You will have to paint the inner surfaces of the strakes yourself – it’s a pity that these are not supplied as decals too so that you don't have the hassle of matching the paint to the decal.

• A set of high-viz national insignia.

• The anti-glare panel.  Love these as it saves masking!

• A set of high-viz stencil data – again, the main more visible items only.

• A set of 'slime lights'.

The placement guide is a full-colour two-sided affair that shows left-hand side profiles and top views of each aircraft. 

The decals have been 'Printed in Mexico'.  They have a gloss finish with a minimum of carrier film.  The colours look OK if a little dark representing freshly applied markings – not a criticism just a comment!   Everything is sharply printed and in perfect register. 

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

The suggested kits are the Hasegawa ones.  

It looks as if Eagle Strike has rushed to get this sheet released.  Eagle Strike/AeroMaster placement sheets are normally well written and very comprehensive.  This sheet has the bare minimum of information to help the newcomer to the world of the F-14. 

Having said that though, it is still a good sheet and it provides markings for two different eras of Tomcat camouflage and markings. 

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 © 2004 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 03 February, 2004
Last updated 03 February, 2004

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