Furball Decals FD72-007: Team Factory - CVW-8 At War.

This particular sheet covers the USS HW Bush's 2017 cruise in support of the fighting in the middle east, during Operation Inherent Resolve. As is the norm in the modern US Navy, the flight deck is pretty well full of Hornets of all types and variants, this one being F-18C/E/F and EF-18Gs. I'm sure there was a helo or Hawkeye there as well, but those don't seem to attract a lot of attention for modelers and so this is just bugs. It is also a 1/72 scale sheet which somewhat widens your kit choices and is most welcome as often one sees this scale bypassed. Not surprising, actually, as most US modelers prefer 1/48 scale.

All are in the tactical paint scheme and the sheet provides a nice selection of CAG and standard line birds. There are enough common markings for four planes from this set alone and you can do more by using kit markings. While no kit is specified, I have a feeling most modelers will go with the Hasegawa offering.

So here is what you get: 

VFA-31 F/A-18E 166776 (AJ 100) JULY 2017: Black-tailed Felix CAG with special “Colonial” markings for the USS Bush’s visit to the UK. This jet has 13 mission markings on the nose.

VFA-31 F/A-18E 166776 (AJ 100) SEPT 2017: Black-tailed Felix CAG with standard squadron logos. This jet has 26 mission markings on the nose.

VFA-31 F/A-18E 166783 (AJ 107) 2017: Low Visibility line jet with 56 mission marks on the nose

VFA-31 F/A-18E 169120 (AJ 151) 2017: Low Visibility line jet borrowed from VFA-106 with unique “Gladiator Felix” insignia on the tails. This jet had 40 mission marks on the nose

VFA-213 F/A-18F 166663 (AJ 200) 2017: Blue tailed tanker configured CAG with “Angry Bird” logo on the nose.

VFA-213 F/A-18F 166674 (AJ 201) 2017: Lo-Viz CO jet with black markings and unique squadron insignia on the tail. 63 mission marks on the nose.

VFA-213 F/A-18F 166682 (AJ 204) 2017: Lo-Viz line jet with medium gray markings. 110 mission marks on the nose.

VFA-213 F/A-18F 166639 (AJ 213) 2017: Lo-Viz line jet with medium gray markings and unique squadron insignia on the tail. 17 mission marks on the nose.

VFA-213 F/A-18F 166640 (AJ 214) 2017: Lo-Viz line jet with medium gray markings. 78 mission marks on the nose.

VFA-87 F/A-18E 168910 (AJ 300) 2017: Golden Warriors’ retro-style CAG jet with markings similar to those worn when the unit flew A-7s. 77 mission marks on the nose.

VFA-87 F/A-18E 168912 (AJ 302) 2017: SU-22 shooter with small Syrian flag and SU-22 silhouette under the front canopy. 50 mission marks on the nose.

VFA-87 F/A-18E 168913 (AJ 303) 2017: Lo-Viz line jet with medium gray markings and 43 mission marks on the nose.

VFA-87 F/A-18E 168915 (AJ 305) 2017: Wingman during SU-22 shootdown mission. Lo-Viz line jet with medium gray markings and 34 mission marks on the nose.

VFA-37 F/A-18C 165187 (AJ 400) 2017: Blue tailed Bulls CAG jet with 40 mission marks under the left leading-edge extension. Tail interiors feature the names of fallen heroes lost during the fight against terror.

VFA-37 F/A-18C 165221 (AJ 404) 2017: Blue and red tailed 50^th Anniversary jet with 36 mission marks under the left leading-edge extension.

VFA-37 F/A-18C 164632 (AJ 401) 2017: Lo-Viz CO jet with 18 mission marks under the left leading-edge extension.

VAQ-131 EA-18G 168772 (AJ 500) 2017: Lo-Viz Lancers’ CAG jet with 66 mission marks on the nose.

VAQ-131 EA-18G 168775 (AJ 503) 2017: Lo-Viz line jet with 57 mission marks on the nose.

Visit the link below to see full color profiles. Decals are printed by Cartograf and are just superbly done.

March 2018

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