Sundowners Part 2
VF-114 Aardvarks

FCM, 1/72 and 1/144 scales

Reviewed by Ken Bowes

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FCM decals from Brazil have a wide and varied range of decals covering both subjects from their own backyard of Latin America to the more mainstream. These two new sheets are from the latter, covering two US Navy F-14A squadrons from the 1970s through to 1990, ranging from the colourful to the drab greys of the tactical paint schemes. VF-111 Sundowners are a very well known unit with their sharkmouth and sunburst markings adorning the Tomcat, whilst VF-114 Aadvarks is perhaps a lessor trodden path for modelers but one that perhaps fills a gap or offers an alternative to the Black Aces or the Black Knights.

Sheet 72-042 of course is the Sundowners and options include:

• F-14A BuNo 162594 Sundowner 200 on USS Kittyhawk in 1991

• F-14A BuNo 160688 Sundowner 213 on USS Carl Vinson in 1986

• F-14A BuNo 160690 Sundowner 211 on USS Carl Vinson in 1985

All the aircraft are in overall semi-gloss Light Gull Grey with Sundowner 200 being a CAG aircraft having full squadron and national markings, probably the most striking of all those on the sheet.

Sheet 144-033 takes in VF-114 Aardvarks and provides markings for no less than nine aircraft ranging from 1977 to 1990 and covering most of the major camouflage schemes worn by the Tomcat.

These are:

• F-14A 105 on USS Enterprise in 1977 in early gull grey over white

• F-14A 101 on USS Enterprise in 1987 in overall gull grey

• F-14A 107 on USS Enterprise in September 1986 in overall gull grey

• F-14A 100 (CAG Aircraft) on USS Enterprise in September 1988 in overall gull grey

• F-14A 111 on USS America in January 1981 in overall gull gray

• F-14A 102 on USS Enterprise in May 1984 in overall Dark Ghost Grey.

• F-14A 106 on USS Enterprise in November 1986 in overall Dark Ghost Grey

• F-14A 101 on USS Abraham Lincoln in October 1990 in the TPS scheme.

• F-14A 110 on USS Abraham Lincoln (no date) in overall Dark Ghost Grey with a black tail.

FCM’s product is comprehensive with both individual squadron markings and key airframe stenciling to allow an accurate and striking replica of the F-14A to be finished. Instructions cover a side profile for each subject and a related four view to show the placement of all stenciling and national markings. The sheets themselves are printed by Microscale on A5 size sheets and are notable in their clarity and register, indicative of both good artwork by FCM and high quality printing by Microscale themselves.

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Given the printer, I would anticipate little or no difficulty with the use of these sheets with most of the standard setting solutions. Overall if you have a 1/72 or 1/144 Tomcat in the stash and did not want to use the kit decals, you could not go wrong to seek out these new products from FCM.

Thanks to FCM for the review sample.

Review Copyright © 2011 by Ken Bowes
Page Created 7 June, 2011
Last updated 7 June, 2011

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