F-14D Felix 101

Fightertown Decals, 1/32 scale

Reviewed by Rodger Kelly

HyperScale is proudly supported by Squadron

Big Felix decals from the guys at Fightertown Decals.

If ever there was a squadron that was readily identified with the F-14 Tomcat, it would have to be VF-31, the Tomcatters.  VF-31 began flying the F-14A Tomcat in 1982 and transitioned to the F-14D in 1992.  After 24 years of service with VF-31, the Tomcat was retired in 2006, with the Tomcatters being the final active squadron.

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This sheet provides markings for two of the F-14Ds that wore the modex 101, that of the machine that was assigned to the Commanding Officer of the Tomcatters. 

All of the options featured on the sheet aircraft are finished in the standard Tactical Paint Scheme (TPS) of FS36375 light ghost grey undersides with FS36320 dark ghost grey fuselage sides and FS35237 medium grey upper surfaces typically worn by the F-14.  They also feature the ‘retrospective squadron markings scheme’ that was a reproduction of the old gull grey and white scheme with high visibility markings that were worn by the Tomcatters F-14As when they first transitioned to the F-14 in 1982.  The ‘retrospective marking scheme’ consisted of FS11136 insignia red bands on the vertical stabilisers and ventral strakes as well as black radome/upper fuselage/canopies and spine.  The schemes do vary a little between the various options with regard to demarcation between colours and the placement guide/information sheets point out the differences.

Details of the various options are as follows:

• F-14D Bureau Number 164600 Felix ‘Bandwagon’ 101.  The markings depict the machine as it appeared between July 2000 and May 2003 when it was involved in Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom embarked aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.  Small detail differences include the ‘sparks’ to the bomb being carried by Felix are in yellow, this is achieved by applying a separate yellow decal over the existing corresponding white ones.  The Commanding Officer and Executive Officer’s names are applied in white on both sides of the canopy rails.  Other differences include the NK airwing identifiers and USS Abraham Lincoln titles on the vertical stabilisers.

• F-14D Bureau Number 164603 Felix ‘Bandwagon’ 101.  A change of aircraft and assignment with this option.  This machine was the one assigned to the squadron’s Commanding Officer between September 2005 and March 2006 and the markings are specific to those worn for the mid to late cruise and for the squadron’s homecoming.  Changes are AJ airwing identifiers, USS Theodore Roosevelt titles, white ‘sparks’ on the bomb fuse, red outlines to the 101 modex, new Commanding Officer and Executive Officer’s names on the canopy rails, CNAL (Commander Naval Air Atlantic) and Rear Admiral Joseph C. Clifton award symbols on the vertical stabilisers.  White ‘Battle Es’ are also applied to the bomb carried by Felix the vertical stabilisers.  A further option is a pair of white Santa hats that were worn by Felix in December of 2005.

• The final option is the same aircraft as it appeared between April and September of 2006.  Detail changes include yellow edging to the 101 modex, new names on the canopy rails to reflect the changes in the command structure, the addition of the Arleigh Burke, CFSWL (Commander, Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic) and EAWS award symbols on the base of the vertical stabilisers. Decals to represent the various signatures that were applied to the inner faces of the gear doors and gear bays are also provided. 

You get four decal sheets with this one.  Two large sheets, one of which carries the vast majority of markings and the other which carries the red markings for the vertical stabilisers and various other red stencil data/warning markings and the Santa hats.  The two smaller sheets carry items of stencil data.  There is no indication as to who has printed the decals but they all appear to be first rate with everything in perfect register with the white’s of Felix’s eyes appearing to be opaque enough to be applied over the red bands of the vertical stabiliser.  Stencil data is plentiful too and it extends to a set for the Lantrin pods as well as two-part squadron patches.

The decals have been sized for the Tamiya kit.

Guidance for the placement of each decal and information on each option is printed on two near A-4 sized sheets of glossy paper with each option receiving its own left and right hand side profiles and upper surface plan view.

The decals and the placement guide/information sheets come packed in a clear plastic zip-loc bag.

Nice stuff from Fightertown Decals indeed.

Thanks to Fightertown Decals for the sample

Review Copyright © 2009 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 26 March, 2009
Last updated 26 March, 2009

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