Furball Decals FDS 4808: Colors & Markings of US Navy Tomcat Part 1(updated)

This is another set produced in conjunction with Detail & Scale, and covers two units which shot down Libyan aircraft during the 1980s, VF-41 and VF-32. All of the aircraft on this sheet are in either the overall light gull grey or the TPS scheme.

Here is a rundown of what is on the sheet. Note that 'Hi-Viz' refers to things like full color insignia and unit markings. Note also that 'day of the shooting' schemes will not, of course, carry kill markings.

VF-32  F-14A 159016, “AE 201”, USS INDEPENDENCE, 1983 (Hi-Viz CO)

VF-32 F-14A 159610, “AC 207”, USS JOHN F. KENNEDY, 1989 (MIG-23 Killer)

VF-32 F-14A 159473, “AC 202”, USS JOHN F. KENNEDY, 1989 (MIG-23 Killer)

VF-32 F-14A 162701, “AC 200”, USS JOHN F. KENNEDY, 1990 (Hi-Viz CAG)

VF-41 F-14A 160403, “AJ 102”, USS NIMITZ, 1981 (SU-22 Killer day of the shootdown)

VF-41 F-14A 160403, “AJ 101”, USS NIMITZ, 1982 (SU-22 Killer post shootdown)

VF-41 F-14A 160390, “AJ 107”, USS NIMITZ, 1981 (SU-22 Killer day of the shootdown)

VF-41 F-14A 160390, “AJ 107”, USS NIMITZ, 1982 (SU-22 Killer post shootdown)

VF-41 F-14A 160395, “AJ 100”, USS NIMITZ, 1982 (CAG)

VF-41 F-14A 162703, “AJ 100”, USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT, 1993 (Hi-Viz CO)

The sheet contains full stencils and other markings for two planes. In concert with other Furball Aero-Design sheets, you will find a most complete placement guide that offers snippets of information on each aircraft. A comprehensive data placement guide is also included. These planes, especially those in overall light gull grey, were generally festooned with markings. Later TPS planes, not quite so much. For those planes with outlined anti-glare panels, the set includes the fine pinstriping.

As always, an excellent sheet for the Tomcat fan. So what makes this one updated? Well, this set is sized for the more recent Tamiya kit that wasn't available when this was first released. You also do not get sheet 48-050, Tomcat walkways as those have been added to the new smaller sheet. Will these fit older kits? Well, they are designed for it but I can see where some of them may work without any issues while others (like the stripes, fin tips, and ventral fin ones), may cause an issue. These sheets have historically sold out relatively quickly, so I recommend picking yours up at the earliest opportunity. 

March 2019

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

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