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Twobobs Aviation Graphics |
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Various F-14 Tomcat Decal Sheets |
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Stock Number: 72-040, 48-096, 48-097, 48-100, 48-101 |
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Reviewed By Frank Kranick, #20352 |
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MSRP $10.00 USD Twobobs has been setting a wonderful pace for the aviation modeler with a timely and high quality product for several years now. With evocative names like “Top Gun Tinker Toys” and “Red Rippin' Muthas”, they offer interesting and colorful decals sets for reasonable prices. With the F-14 Tomcat in the waning years (perhaps months!) of its service career, you can be sure squadron paint schemes are being documented for translation into decal sets for us. Some of this research is already reaching our outstretched arms. Twobobs has offered several USN sheets in the past but now, we’ve a minor flood at which to look. Some blanket comments on these sets are appropriate – all are printed by Microscale and are of the highest quality. All have perfect registry and a minimum of carrier film and the film that surrounds the graphics is thin and virtually invisible when applied. The instruction/placement sheets offer color photos of the genuine article as well as a list of kits and aftermarket items available at the time these sheets were printed – handy when you “need” to add a resin cockpit or accessory. I used Microscale’s Micro Sol as a setting agent and they decals responded very well – not surprisingly. Twobobs does a lot of the homework for you and supplies comprehensive painting instructions. The sheets supplied are all MSRP’ed at $10.00. All current inventory can be found and purchased at www.twobobs.net and there’s always no postage to pay on domestic U.S. orders. Now, on to the decals… Mostly F-14B’s and D’s are in these sets, and I’ll start with 72-040 and 48-096 as they’re of the same markings in two different scales. VF-103 Jolly Rogers (previously known as “Sluggers”) inherited the Skull and Crossbones from VF-84 when “Fightin’ 84” was disestablished some years ago. Few schemes are as recognizable as the black tails and the distinctive bone motif. Twobobs has a winner on its hands with “F-14B VF-103 Jolly Rogers Last of the Tomcats Part 1” as all decals are quite in register with minimal carrier film. Overall paint is Dark Ghost Grey over Light Ghost Grey as the camouflage. You’ve got two different documented schemes of the same airframe with decals for drop tanks to boot. This particular aircraft was also TARPS capable so you’ll be able to use those Tactical Aerial Reconnaissance Photographic System pods supplied in your 1/48th Italeri and Hasegawa kits. As a bonus in the 1/72nd set, you get all the decals for both schemes – twice the bang for the buck. |
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| 48-097, “F-14B VF-11 Red Rippers Last of the Tomcats Part 2” offers two VF-11 aircraft in both later Medium Grey over Ghost Greys camo off of USS George Washington as well as kicking ‘old school’ with Gull Grey over White while onboard the Kennedy. You get full markings for two models, insignia, data - the works. The Red Rippers emblem is vibrantly rendered and will have you reaching for the Gordon’s Gin bottle to compare the features of the warthog/peccary on the label. |
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| Next up is “F-14A/B Colorful Cats”, sheet 48-100. There’s one –A model and two –B’s from which to choose with interesting camouflage schemes to say the least! The NSAWC Splinter scheme from 1999 in blues and greys will challenge the modeler’s painting skills but it will prove to be a conversation starter in the end. The second schemes are for the now-disestablished VF-24 Renegades just prior to Operation Desert Storm. Again, these schemes offer colors not–often seen on Tomcats; tans, browns and greens over grey; definite eye catchers! |
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Sheet 48-101, “F-14B/D VF-143/213 Last of the Tomcats 3” renders a pair of
retirement F-14’s: one from VF-143, “The World Famous Pukin Dogs” and
one from VF- 213, the “Black Lions”. Both aircraft are in Flat Light Gull
Grey with the VF-213 being the more colorful with a medium blue for the
tails and around the canopy and anti-glare areas. There is an advisory
that this blue, listed as FS15180, is not available as a hobby paint. A
quick comparison in my collection of paints shows Testors PLA enamel #1110
Blue (in the small, square bottle) a close match but will need a little
white to lighten it. It’s close enough to get started, anyway. Included in the placement sheet is some information on the squadrons, one bit I found to be in error: VF-143 is stated to be “the only Tomcat squadron to transition to the single-seat F/A-18E” which I know is not correct as the VFA-14 Tophatters are currently flying that version of the Super Hornet and there will be other squadrons. Even more curious is Twobobs even produced 48-040 (now OOP), a sheet with three, single-seat VFA-14 F/A-18E’s on it. Nonetheless, this doesn’t detract in any way from the decals; it’s more of a curiosity. |
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| The image below shows the placement of the Pukin’ Dogs markings on my Italeri F-14B that happened to be sitting on my desk, waiting for clothes when the call for reviewers came in. While the main graphics are in very dark blue, black and white, it still offers a stylish scheme and who could resist asking about puking dogs? |
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So, we’ve got Twobobs’ most recent homage to the soon-to-be gone Tomcat -
in many flavors. More are sure to follow but we’ve got a head start with
these sheets. Twobobs was conspicuous at the recent IPMS/USA Nationals in
Atlanta with all their decals stocked and selling. Their staff was quick
to answer questions and just as quick with some good-natured ribbing.
They’ve established themselves as a premier decal supplier to us modelers
with quality products that represent excellent value for the money. Many thanks to Twobobs for the review samples, for their continued support of IPMS/USA and for their neat products! Highly recommended to all Tomcat fans. |
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