Eagle Strike Productions

1/48 Tomcats Part IX decal sheet

Product # PYND48166 for $9.50

Product Article by Steve Filak on Aug 10  2005

 

 

 

Here's a quick review of Eagle Strike's "Tomcats Part IX" sheet.

This sheet covers two F-14B Tomcats of VF-103, the infamous "Jolly Rogers".  The sheet covers two aircraft from the squadron from the 2002-3 time frame, when the squadron was deployed aboard the USS George Washington.  Included are the CAG bird, modex # 103, and one line bird, modex #101.  Unlike the previous 'extreme-lo-viz' scheme that VF-103 wore for a short period of time (The Bones on gray tails with no victory stripes), these markings represented a welcome reversion to the more ominous schemes worn by Jolly Rogers Tomcats in the past.  In particular, the CAG aircraft's scheme is a throwback to the old days of colorful VF-84 F-14A Tomcats.  Of course, this change was not only preferable to the squadron, but was welcomed by modelers as well.

My sample was printed in perfect register, and the colors used on the sheet were, for the most part, a very good match for VF-103 aircraft of the time period.  One minor flaw that I observed is that the tail markings for the 101 bird should actually be Light Ghost Gray instead of White.  However, this does not detract from the markings in a major way, and they can be toned down with pastels or a light overspray of gray.  On the plus side, an interesting addition to the markings is the chipped paint on the starboard fin cap of the 103 bird.   This is evident on several photos of the aircraft, including one which is featured on the front of the instruction sheet.  You can opt to use this decal or not, but it is definitely a nice touch.  Brian Marbrey was instrumental in the research for this sheet, providing both research assistance and photographs.  Brian is very knowledgeable about VF-103's aircraft, and this is evident when viewing the sheet's markings.

The full color instruction sheet includes placement instructions, color guides, weathering recommendations, and three-view color illustrations of both aircraft.

In addition to the squadron markings for the two aircraft, the sheet also features crew names and stencil data, but does not include slime lights.  You'll need to harvest these from the decal sheet of whatever kit you happen to be building.

The sheet retails for $9.50, and is available from Eagle Strike Productions website and online vendors.  This review courtesy of my wallet, as I picked this sheet up at the Eagle Strike booth at the Atlanta Nationals.

Steve

Photos and text © by Steve Filak