DXM Decals DXM41-4125: 1/48 VF-103 F-14B Tomcat

The Tomcat is a popular modeling subject for many jet modelers. It has the sort of cool that is missing from the Hornet and many were sad to see its operational days end. Even sadder was the destruction of extant airframes once it was removed from service due to an unfounded fear that the Iranians would find some way to get a hold of them.

One of the most popular units is the Jolly Rogers. Unlike the USAF, a unit's badge can transfer from one unit to another and so was the case with the Jolly Rogers. After decades with VF-84, when that unit was disestablished, the skull and crossbones went to VF-103 'Sluggers'.

DXM has provided a nice sheet for four aircraft covering the period from 1999 to 2004. There is no ship name on any of these and all of them are F-14Bs painted in the simplified two color TPS. Two have black tails and one of them is a CAG bird while the other is a standard line bird from 2004 when the whole squadron adopted the black tail. The other two options are also standard line birds in the normal grey markings scheme.

The decal sheet is superbly printed by Cartograf and includes a full stencil suite and markings to enable two of the four planes to be modeled straight from the sheet. Each plane seems to have different common markings so one needs to pay attention to the instruction sheet. There is a full stencil placement guide provided in the full color instructions.

If you are looking for something a bit different from the norm, then this is an option that you should consider.

Check with your local retailer about getting this sheet in.

November 2014

Review sheet courtesy of http://www.thepmw.com. You can get yours now at this link.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and fairly quickly, please contact me or see other details in the Note to Contributors.