Marine Fighter Attack Squadron
One Two Two

Flying Leathernecks Decals, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Rodger Kelly

Flying Leathernecks' One Two Two Decals are available online from Squadron.com

FL48022 Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 (VMFA-122) is the latter of two new releases from Dave Roof’s Flying Leatherneck Decals and is certainly is impressive!

As the title suggests, the sheet provides markings for the F/A-18 Hornets operated by VMFA-122.  Markings are provided for 15 machines in all with 13 of them being those that were deployed to Iraq in 2008.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 

Thumbnail panels:

All aircraft featured on the sheet are in the standard Tactical Paint Scheme (TPS) worn by the Hornet consisting of Federal Standard 36320 dark ghost grey over Federal Standard 36375 light ghost grey.

The individual options are:

• F/A-18C, Bureau number 164247, modex 00, as it appeared at Al Asad Air Base (AB), in northern Iraq circa 2008.  This was the Commanding Officer of Marine Air Group 31 of which VMFA-122 is a part and as such it exhibits a little colour in the form of cartoon artwork on the outer surfaces of the vertical stabilisers.

• F/A-18C, Bureau number 164264, modex 01, Al Asad AB, Iraq, 2008.  This machine “belongs to” the squadron’s Commanding Officer and wears the unit’s werewolf insignia on the outer surfaces of its vertical stabilisers which are black with red leading edges.  To realise these markings Flying Leatherneck Decals supply you with vinyl mask so as you can apply it to the vertical stabilisers before painting them black.  This masked area then becomes the “background” over which you apply the decal.  The fin cap wears a painted sword (a hangover from the time the squadron was called the “Crusaders”?).  The red marking is supplied as a one-part decal as well as with separate Werewolves title and sword should you wish to paint the red yourself.  A separate sheet is provided with full instructions on how to use the mask.  The sheet also advises that Flying Leathernecks Decals will provide you with replacement masks should you need them.

• F/A-18C, Bureau number 164265, modex 02, Al Asad AB, Iraq, 2008.  The Executive Officer’s jet.  It wears the Werewolf’s markings on the vertical stabilisers but this time the vertical stabs are just plain old grey.  There are no sword or Werewolves titles either. 

• F/A-18C, Bureau number 164268, modex 14, Al Asad AB, Iraq, 2008.  A plain old “line bird with the same markings as the previous option bar the modex.

• F/A-18C, Bureau number 164270, modex 04, Al Asad AB, Iraq, 2008.  Another line bird with the only differences from the previous option being the modex and crew names.

• F/A-18C, Bureau number 164271, modex 05, Al Asad AB, Iraq, 2008.  Same again, different modex and crew names only.

• F/A-18C, Bureau number 164273, modex 06, Al Asad AB, Iraq, 2008.  Same again but fitted with “bird slicer” antenna on the nose.

• F/A-18C, Bureau number 164274, modex 07, Al Asad AB, Iraq, 2008.  Same again less the bird slicer antenna.

• F/A-18C, Bureau number 164275, modex 10, Al Asad AB, Iraq, 2008.   Same again, different modex and crew names.

• F/A-18C, Bureau number 164276, modex 11, Al Asad AB, Iraq, 2008.   As above.

• F/A-18C, Bureau number 164277, modex 12, Al Asad AB, Iraq, 2008.   Same again but fitted with “bird slicer” antenna on the nose.

• F/A-18C, Bureau number 164278, modex 13, Al Asad AB, Iraq, 2008.   As above.

• F/A-18C, Bureau number 164264, modex 01, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort, South Carolina (SC), circa 2007.   This is the same aircraft as the first option but in the markings of the squadron’s previous identity as the Crusaders (run a Google search on “VMFA-122 name change” for a discussion on this.)  The outer faces of the vertical stabilisers are in insignia blue (as are the vast majority of the other markings on the machine) with a white shield and a red cross.  The inner faces wear the squadron’s motto of "Mach Altus", a combination of the two Latin words for "speed and altitude along with DC unit indicator codes.  The national insignia is also in full colour.

• F/A-18A, Bureau number unknown, modex 01, the Executive Officer’s bird at MCAS Beaufort, SC, in 1999.  This is another machine with the squadron’s previous markings.  Smaller shields in full colour as well as an outline sword with the unit title on the blade.  National insignia in full colour too.

• F/A-18A, Bureau number 163162, modex 08, at MCAS Beaufort, SC in 1999.  A lo-viz version of the previous option sans the sword.

As has been their practice of late, the placement guides are supplied on a compact disc (CD).  You get an individual sheet for each option (bar the last two which are combined on the same sheet) Each sheet illustrates the option by way of both left and right hand side profiles as well as illustrations of the inner faces of the vertical stabilisers.  The sheet also advises on what modifications need to be made to the Hasegawa –A and –C kits (the recommended ones) to correctly depict the machine.  There are separate sheets illustrating placement of stencil data, landing gear and ejector seat (the latter two on the same sheet) as well as a further one that holds a load out sheet and the aforementioned painting instructions for the CO’s bird’s vertical stabilisers.

The CD also holds a wealth of large, excellent quality digital images that not only of overall shots of the actual aircraft on the sheet themselves but also of the walk around type.  There are folders featuring images of the AIM-9M, AIM-9X, AIM-120, airframe details, engine bay and exhausts, cockpit (F/A-18A), GBU-12, Litening pod, main landing gear, nose landing gear, arrestor hook and the SJU-17 Naces ejector seat.  You get 254 images in all.  I’m impressed with the inclusion of these images as you are basically getting a high quality reference along with your decals at an excellent price.  This form of reference in printed form would set you back quite a few dollars!

You get a two sheets with this one, a very large one (11? inches x 8¾ inches) and a smaller one.  The decals themselves have been printed by Cartograf using the silk screen method.  They are thin, sharp and in perfect register.  Everything is in perfect register.  You get two very complete sets of stencil data including slime lights and flare buckets – loaded and empty.  You also get decals to simulate the later style mesh vented gun gas doors.  Given that you get two sets of stencil data, you can realise two complete 1/48 scale F/A-18s from the sheet, more if you use an alternative source for extra stencil data.

The CD, the two decal sheets, and paint masks come packed in a clear plastic zip-loc bag along with a stiff cardboard header card to save the decal sheets from being creased.

This is a great release from Flying Leatherneck Decals.  It provides you with marking for 15 machines of VMFA-122, a mixture of colourful (well for the USMC at least!) and line birds from two eras of squadron markings as well as some very comprehensive reference and support material.

Thanks to Flying Leathernecks Decals for the review sample.

Review Copyright © 2009 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 1 July, 2009
Last updated 2 July, 2009

Back to HyperScale Main Page

Back to Reviews Page