$12.00
CAM 1/32 Decal sheet # 32-006 for F-4J Phantom
MSRP: $12.00
CAM or Custom Aeronautical Miniatures, is a new name in the model business. When I first saw their built-ups of Tamiya F-4s at Phan-Con '98 in October of 1998, I was not only amazed at the quality of thier work, but also at the varitey of markings on them.
I had not realized that there were ANY 1/32 sheets for the F-4, let alone this large a selection. The decals looked as if they had been painted on the aircraft. They were that good. After talking with the folks for a while, I was informed that they were going to be bringing their sheets out for sale. Not just a few, but a whole range of sheets for the Navy F-4. Currently, thier catalogue lists 34 1/32 sheets. You can access their listing at http://www.camdecals.com/.
This particular sheet is for the Kittyhawk CAG F-4J from VF-114 'Aardvarks'. It is superbly printed and register is spot-on. To my eye, this is probably the finest decal sheet I have seen. All the 1/32 sheets are about 5 1/2 by 9 1/2 inches in size. You get all you need to replace the VF-96 decals that come with the Tamiya kit. This sheet is specifically designed for that kit, though it may fit on the Revell F-4J as well.
A couple of things about this sheet come to mind. First, it is relatively expensive. I say relatively, because if you are going to spend the money on a Tamiya kit, it makes sense to use the best decals available. As the Tamiya kit is the Mercedes of kits, the CAM decals are a perfect choice to go along with it. Secondly, you do not get any of the common markings. Within the next few weeks, CAM will be coming out with a data sheet to accompany these sheets.
As you can see from the instruction sheet, placement is given for only the decals on the sheet. For now, the Tamiya decals will have to be used for the data.
The CAM decals are designed to work with the Microscale system, though a small one I cut from the sheet for a test, worked well with Champ, an industrial strength solution.