F-14A/B Grim Reapers

Fightertown Decals, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Rodger Kelly

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Fightertown Decals 72006 provides markings for the two F-14As and a single and strikingly marked F-14B Tomcats of VF-101 Grim Reapers in 1/72 scale.

The markings are from the time when VF-101 was the sole F-14 Fleet Readiness Squadron and based at Naval Air Station Oceana in the United States.

You get markings for three aircraft with this sheet; the details of each are as follows:

• F-14A Bureau Number 162697, Reaper 162 from 1998.  The machine is finished in overall FS36440 flat gull grey with FS36081 euro 1 grey on its fin caps, radome, canopies and spine, as well as edging to her ventral strakes,.  All of her markings are in low-viz (in euro 1 grey) and the only colour is the red to the eyes of the squadron’s grim reaper unit insignia on the vertical stabilisers and the white of the crew names on the canopy rails

• F-14A Bureau Number 162601, Reaper 160 from 1995.  This option is in overall FS35327 medium grey with FS36081 euro 1 grey on its fin caps, radome, canopies, edging to her ventral strakes, and spine.  As with the previous option, the squadron insignia has its eyes painted red and the crew names are painted on the canopy rails in white.

• The final option is F-14B Bureau Number 162923 as it appeared between September and October of 1995.  This was the Commanding Officer’s aircraft and apparently it was his idea to have it painted up in red (FS11136 insignia red) in place of the euro 1 grey over its overall FS36440 gull grey scheme.  The story goes that whilst the Commanding Officer was impressed, the rest of the squadron’s members were not.  It was called ‘Tomato’ and with a later re-paint it was re-dubbed with the sobriquet ‘Bario Wagon’.   Notwithstanding the lack of enthusiasm displayed by the squadron’s members it certainly was a striking machine!  It wears the same basic markings of its squadron sisters except that they are all in black rather that euro 1 grey.  Other exceptions are that the grim reaper insignia on the vertical stabilisers has white eyes and is smoking an orange tipped cigar.  Understandably, it wears a black anti-glare panel on its nose and this is supplied as a decal to save you the trouble of trying to mask it off and paint it on.

The decals themselves have been printed by Microscale and are well up to the standard set by this pioneering decal producer.  You get three sheets in all.  The larger sheet carries the majority of markings whilst two smaller ones carry the anti-glare panel and a second Bureau Number for the ‘Bario Wagon’.  The decals are sized for the Hasegawa kit

The placement guides/information sheets come in the form of two sheets that are just shy of A-4 in size.  They are good quality glossy paper and printed in full colour on both sides.  Each option is treated to both left and right hand side profiles as well as an upper plan views for both Reapers 101 and 160.  All sheets feature illustrations of the inner and outer faces of the vertical stabilisers.  Stencil data for the gear legs and ejection seats is included as is a decal to apply over the gun door to simulate the vents.  The placement guide shows yellow decals to be placed on the intake and exhaust covers but I could not find them on any of the sheets.

The deal sheets and placement guides/information sheets come packed in a clear plastic zip-loc bag.

In summary, this is a great sheet.  It provides you with excellent quality decals and first rate supporting material.

Footnote

The ‘Bario Wagon’ option sure would stand out from the crowd on a shelf of F-14 models or on any competition table!

Review Copyright © 2009 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 23 March, 2009
Last updated 23 March, 2009

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