This new decal sheet from Fightertown Decals includes markings for 3 different 1/48  F-14's with VFA-103 including one in the Santa Cat markings.  

Special thanks to Brian Marbrey, Mike Pister, Andy Mullen, Fury, Paul Osborne, Dana Potts and David F Brown.

The 3 aircraft are the CO's aircraft aircraft aat 3 different times during the tenure of CDR Williams.  Aircraft #103 is usually the VF-103 CO's aircraft.   All 3 jets are in hi-viz markings and one has the skull and cross bones on the tail wearing a Santa Hat....hence the name "Santa Cat". 

• F-14B VFA-103 Jolly Rogers CO Jet 103 BuNo161435 during the 2000 cruise.  Markings are the hi-viz black markings with a white skull and cross bones on the tail.

• F-14B VFA-103 Jolly Rogers CO Jet 103 BuNo161435 in Dec 2000.  Markings are the hi-viz black markings with a white skull wearing a red and white Santa Hat and red and white Christmas candy canes replacing the usual cross bones under the skull on the tail.

• F-14B VFA-103 Jolly Rogers CO Jet 103 BuNo161435 in 2001.  Markings are the hi-viz black markings with a white skull and cross bones on the tail.

Click on images below to see larger images

The instructions are clear and include multiply views of each aircraft.  There is also weapons loadout information included in the instruction sheets.  The decals are beautifully printed on 1 decal sheet with 2 insert decal sheet and walkway masks.  The decals include loadout decals and helmet, shoulder and chest decals and landing gear decals.  Plus you get a set of formation lights.  The quality of the decals is first rate. 

The Santa Cat markings were a big hit when they were first spotted and even now they are great to look at and the Skull and Cross Bones markings are always the best looking markings on a Tomcat.

Steve

I would like to thank Fightertown Decals for providing me with this review sample.