DXM Decals 91-4235: F14D Tomcat - VF-31 Tomcatters

This is a very nicely done sheet for your favorite 1/48 F-14D Tomcat kit and covers the full range of camouflage schemes worn by the aircraft of VF-31 during its tenure with the D model Tomcat. VF-31 along with VF-11 were the first two fleet units to switch to the ultimate F-14 and VF-31 was one of the last to fly the type. Fortunately, the unit moved on to the F-18F,  and is still called the Tomcatters. This squadron is one of the Navy's oldest, forming in 1935 on the F3F-2.

The sheet, or actually set as there are two sheets, offers seven different schemes.

First is the Tactical Paint Scheme (TPS) as are almost all of the options on this sheet. It is the CAG bird with black fin and canopy surround from the USS Theodore Roosevelt in 2006.

Next is one with a red fin marking from the USS Abraham Lincoln in 2002

In similar markings to the above, but in black is the CAG bird from the USS Abraham Lincoln in 2003.

The earliest scheme on the sheet is another CAG bird, this time from the USS Carl Vinson in 1995.

The next three are all from the last year of operations, 2006 with the first two of these being identical save for the shade of grey of the markings and the nose/serial number.

Finally, one of the farewell schemes in light gull grey and white/spine/canopy light gull grey over white scheme.

The sheet offers sufficient insignia for two options and stencils for one, though you can always use kit decals if you wish to do more from the sheet. There is no specific kit recommended which means the kits are all dimensionally pretty close.

In all, it is an excellent sheet for the Tomcat fan. It is also available in 1/72 scale. The sheet comes with full color instructions and the decals themselves are superbly printed by Cartograf.  

May 2019

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