Here is yet another in a series of F-18 decal sheets. This particular one is for a nice mixture of F-18s that includes a Navy CAG bird and a Marine F-18D. I find it interesting that the designation for the Marine birds still carries the (AW) for All Weather in it. I think one would be rather hard pressed to find a modern military tactical aircraft that is limited to daylight operations!

As I mentioned, there are two units involved. The first plane is a CAG bird from VFA-27 aboard the USS Kitty Hawk. Unlike days of yore and other units, this CAG bird has no additional color in it beyond the usual greys.

The other unit is VMFA(AW)-225, probably the newest and perhaps also the last Marine F-18 squadron to be formed. This unit has the two-seat F-18D which replaced the A-6 Intruder as the primary attack plane in the corps. Though not able to carry as much ordnance as far as the A-6 could, the D model F-18 has proven itself to be a capable airframe.

There is a full set of data markings allowing the modeler to build both planes from this sheet. Hasegawa and I believe Italeri both have these F-18s in their cataloge, though which is the better kit of the two I do not know.

Review copy courtesy of me and my wallet.

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