Flying Leathernecks Decals

1/48 Marine Fighter Attack Squadron One Two Two decal sheet

product  # FL48022   $25.00

Review by Kelly Quirk on Dec 29 2008

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This new decal sheet from Flying Leathernecks Decals includes 1/48 Decals for the F/A-18A and F/A-18C Hornet.

Where do I begin?  This is the most comprehensive set of decals I have ever purchased.  The main decal sheet measures a full 8.5” x 11”, and there is not a fraction of wasted space on this sheet.  In addition there is a 4.5” x 2” sheet with more “Werewolves” and plane crew markings.  All beautifully printed by Cartograf, and in perfect register.

Options for ALL 12 aircraft currently assigned to VMFA-122 are included, as well as three earlier aircraft (two F/A-18A's and an F/A-18C) while they were still officially known as the 'Crusaders'.

Complete stencils for two (2) airframes are also included, which include everything from formation lights, flares, landing gear stencils, vents, missile rail stencils, ejections seat stencils (for both the SJU-5/6 and the SJU-17), right down to the “dots” (for lack of a better term) on the inside of the exhaust petals.

And it doesn’t stop there.  You will also find in your package a set of vinyl paint masks for the Werewolf on the tail of jet 164264, the Commanding Officer’s bird.  You simply spray the gray background color, place the vinyl mask (Dave shows you exactly where), spray the rest of the tail black, remove the mask and put the decal in place.  Genius! 

But wait, there’s more.  You will also find a CD filled with reference material.  On this CD you will find detailed pictures in PDF and jpeg format of the following: 

  • AIM-9M:  17 pics

  • AIM-9X:  9 pics

  • AIM-120:  7 pics

  • GBU-12:  8 pics

  • Airframe details:  over 50 pics

  • Engine bay/exhaust:  14 pics

  • Litening pod:  4 pics

  • Main landing gear:  20 pics

  • Nose gear:  12 pics

  • SJU-17 ejection seat:  10 pics

  • Tail hook:  8 pics

Click on images below to see larger images

As well there are many shots of the F/A-18A airframe and cockpit.  Absent are pictures of an F/A-18C cockpit, though I’m not sure what the differences are between the A and the C. 

Also on the CD is a detailed ordnance guide, overall stencil guides for the top, sides and bottom of the aircraft (these may have been better served if they came printed out for you, my printer struggled with the smaller markings and are hard to read), paint/decal guides for all 12 individual jets, including jet specific instructions on what to change or update on the kit to model the jet of your choice. 

To wrap things up you are provided with a printed list of all available 1/48 scale F/A-18A or C Hornet kits and aftermarket accessories. 

All in all this is a spectacular set of decals, great subject for the markings, and a fantastic value.  Watch the ARC Forum in the coming weeks for my full build up article using these decals. 

These decals (and others) are available at:  http://orionscalemodels.com

Kelly

Photos and text © by Kelly Quirk