Furball Decals FD 72-001: Bravo MiG Killers pt. I

It is nice to see that Furball Aero-Designs has reduced one of their sheets to 1/72 scale. They have chosen a very nice subject for this one, concentrating on F-4B MiG killers. All of these planes are in the light gull grey over white scheme and while the instructions state it is for the Academy kit, I'm pretty sure that these markings will fit most available 1/72 F-4Bs from Hasegawa and Fujimi.

The sheet covers five different units and the sharp eyed modeler will notice that there are differences in the fins on some of these planes. The instructions are quite detailed in terms of things like this so it pays dividends to read any specifics for each plane.

Going by units and from the left, the first option is from a plane that was not a MiG killer. This VF-114 Phantom was zapped by VF-143 and had a pair of stars added to it. It is presumed that these were applied when the plane was used to tranport an admiral aboard ship in 1963.

Next is a VF-161 plane in its older markings  when aboard the USS Constellation in 1966. It is credited with one MiG-17.

Next is one of two VF-143 planes, the second not shown as there is uncertainty which aircraft was actually used to shoot down a MiG-21 in the USS Constellation's 1967 cruise.

A VF-96 plane from the USS Enterprise during 1968 is the next option and was flown by a USAF exchange pilot. The MiG-21 kill was never officially confirmed as it was thought to be a Chinese aircraft.

Next we have four planes from VF-51 during their 1972 cruise aboard the USS Coral Sea. VF-51 was particuilarly successful and these fourplanes are all credited with a MiG-17 during that time period.

The final four are all from VF-161, during the 1972/73 time period when aboard the USS Midway. These planes are all in their later scheme which they kept until the unit retired their Phantoms in the late 1980s.

The decals for this sheet are superbly printed by Cartograf. There are enough data and insignia for two aircraft and enough unique markings for one plane from each unit covered. In some cases, the builder will need to paint canopy surround areas or, as with the later VF-161 planes, the black fuselage stripe and black tail. The sheet also includes one set of black and one set of grey upper intake walkways. As with all Furball Aero-Design sheets, the instructions have lots of information and a complete stencil placement guide and load-out diagram are included.

In all, it is a great sheet and those who are really into the type will want to purchase more than one. I have heard that the sheet is selling very well so you may want to grab one or two while they are still available.

July 2015

Review sheet courtesy of http://furballaero-design.com. You can get yours now at this link.

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