This new decal
sheet from Cutting
Edge Modelworks includes markings for and F/A-18D with VFA-106 and a
F/A-18C with VFA-37 in 1/48 scale shortly after the carrier returned from Operation Iraqi Freedom. The recommended kit for these decals is the 1/48 Hasegawa
F/A-18C and the Hasegawa F/A-18D.
The first Hornet on this sheet is
a F/A-18D # 163457 with the VFA-106 flown by Capt T M Shoemaker Shoe and CDR T J
Thompson Ragno. This Oceana RAG bird is
in the standard FS 36375 / FS 36320 scheme and features blue stenciling and numbers. On the outside of the tails is a
dark yellow circle with a red outline and superimposed over the circle is a blue
triangle containing a knight's head with a F/A-18 below it. Text above and
below this artwork reads "GLADIATORS VFA-106". Text on the side of the
fuselage reads "ROMAN EMPIRE" and on the side of the drop tank is the
text "GLADIATORS". One interesting of this jet is on the left
side of the rear fuselage is the word NAVY and on the right side of the rear
fuselage is the word MARINES. The
second Hornet on this sheet is a US Navy F/A-18C # 165177 with the VFA-37 flown by
CDR Jeff Dodson. This jet is
in the standard FS 36375 / FS 36320 scheme and features red stenciling and numbers. On the outside of the tails is
artwork of a snorting bulls head. This jet flew off the USS Harry S Truman.
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