VFA-103 Jolly Rogers
F/A-18F CAG Bird

Jasmine Model, 1/72 Scale

Reviewed by Rodger Kelly

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The last of my sample decals from the new Shanghai, China based producer, sheet 172003 provides markings for a single F/A-18F Hornet, VFA-103 Jolly Rogers’ CAG bird, Bureau number 166620 in 1/72 scale.

Bureau number 166620 is finished in the standard Super Bug tactical paint scheme of FS36320 dark ghost grey over FS36375 light ghost grey. Being a CAG bird though she follows what now seems the familiar CAG bird marking layout for the Super Bug and wears a black spine and vertical stabilisers with a “sash” around her forward fuselage.

VFA-103’s squadron colours are yellow and black and these colours are carried in the form of yellow tipped vertical black stabilisers and a yellow edged “sash”. These marking are supplied as decals and unlike the other Jasmine model sheets that I have seen they are supplied as one-piece decals. A large squadron “zap” is also supplied on the sheet so you can apply it to a display base should you wish.

Stencil data is confined to the larger more visible items and include a complete set of slime lights, intake warnings, turbine stripes, and ejection seat warning triangles. Jasmine Model have also seen fit to supply the walkway marking for the port side chine and the vinyl blankets between the vertical stabilisers as decals – great stuff in 1/72 scale as it will save you a tedious masking job. Similarly, they have supplied the various perforated “grill” areas of the airframe as decals too as well as the chaff dispensers on the underside of the intakes. A complete set of instrument panel and side console decals are also included as are two seats of ejection seat harnesses. Though not stated on the placement guide, they are sized to fit the Hasegawa kit.

The decals themselves are silk screen printed and glossy. The yellow ones and the black and white modex ones look to have been printed on top of a white background. This makes them a little on the thick side but will ensure that they will be opaque when applied over the black of the vertical stabilisers. Everything on my sample sheet is in perfect register.

Again, my standard gripe with regard to the Jasmine model placement guide. It is (too) small at 7¼” x 10¼”, has full colour left and right hand side profiles and upper and lower plan views. Whilst it is visually pleasing as artwork it falls far short as a placement guide. Similarly, it is impossible to make out the camouflage demarcation as the illustration is more an artistic rendition rather than an information illustration.

Packaging is via a thin cellophane bag with a gummed strip to seal it. Not good at all as it is neigh on impossible to re insert the decal sheet, the waxed paper protective sheet and the cardboard backing/header card back into it without the gummed strip fouling it all!

The gripes aside, Jasmine Model provide an affordable product and its use on the 1/72 scale Hasegawa Super Bug kit will result in a striking scale interpretation of the real VFA-103 CAG bird that is being flown from the flight deck of the Atlantic Fleet’s USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.

This sheet gets the same recommendation that I have given the other two Jasmine Model sheets I have so far seen - recommended to those who have alternative references in their library so as to overcome the inadequate placement guide.

Thanks to Jasmine Model for the review sample.

Review Copyright © 2007 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 25 September, 2007
Last updated 24 December, 2007

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