Two Bobs Aviation Graphics

F/A-18E VFA-31 Rockin' Rhinos #7 decal sheet

1/48 scale product #48141

Review by Steve Bamford on Nov 23 2007

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This new decal sheet from Twobobs features markings for two complete aircraft from the VFA-31 Tomcatters.  The Tomcatters have recently transitioned to the Super Hornet and these are the two delivery schemes from Boeing.

Strike Fighter Squadron Thirty-One has a long and distinguished history.  Its beginnings can be traced to the commissioning of the VF-1B Shooting Stars in July of 1935, flying the Boeing F4B-4.  During the past 72 years they have flown the following aircraft;

  • Boeing F4B-4
  • F3F-2 Wildcat
  • F4F-4 Wildcat
  • F6F Hellcat
  • F8F-1 Bearcat
  • F9F-2 Panther
  • F2H Banshee
  • F3H Demon
  • F-3B
  • F-4B Phantom
  • F-4J
  • F-14A Tomcat
  • F-14D Tomcat
  • F/A-18E Super Hornet

 

Through the years the Tomcatters and their predecessors have served aboard the Navy’s finest aircraft carriers, including: USS Langley (CV-1); USS Lexington (CV-2); and the USS Enterprise (CV-6).  In 1980 VF-31 and USS Saratoga (CV-60) concluded a 24 year period of continuous service together, the longest in naval history.  Since that time, the Tomcatters have served aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74), and now currently with USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71).

The squadron was aboard USS Enterprise during the bombing of Pearl Harbor as well as the Battles of Wake Island, Marcus Island , Coral Sea, Midway, Guadalcanal and the Eastern Solomons.  The squadron has seen aerial combat over the Phillipines, Formosa , Okinawa and China .  Overall, the Tomcatters’ total combat experience includes fierce battles in World War II , Korea , Vietnam , as well as regional conflicts all over the world and the support of recent global operations.  In 1972, flying the F-4J Phantom, Tomcatter aircrew shot down a MiG-21 over North Vietnam and distinguished VF-31 as the only US fighter squadron to achieve aerial victories in all three wars.

If you're going to build one of these, then Twobobs suggests the following kits and aftermarket detail items.

1/48th Scale
  • Hasegawa F/A-18E
  • Revellogram F/A-18E (Decals are sized for this kit)
  • Italeri F/A-18E
  • Black Box Cockpit
  • Aires Accessories
  • Eduard Accessories

As for the decals....you're gonna' love them.  The Tomcatters aren't known for bland markings and this sheet features their Felix the Cat which has been their official name and callsign for over 60 years.  The 2 jets included on this sheet  are both from May 2007 after this historical squadron switched to the Super Hornet.  You get one jet with hi-viz markings including black tails with red fin flashes and yellow and black Felix the Cat artwork.  There is also artwork on the inside of both tails.  The second jet is a lo-viz line jet with almost the identical markings and artwork in gray.

I'm pleased to see that this decal sheet includes 2 compete set of markings for both jets.  Which jet to build you ask.......that depends on whether you like colorful markings or a lo-viz Navy jet with a full weathering job.  

This sheet retails for $11.50 and is available through http://www.twobobs.net/ and select US Hobby Shops.  Overseas customers can purchase these from Twobobs site or through Twobobs network of overseas distributors.

Steve

History for this article is from the official website for the VFA-31 Tomcatters  http://www.vf31.navy.mil/

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford