Let me start off with this, Lifelike Decals are some of the most thoroughly researched decals available. When your instruction sheets a sheet with 41 references on it for the subject aircraft, AND 26 references just addressing the Zero colors, you know this company is different.

Inside a ziplock baggie you get enough decals to do SIXTEEN Zeros in various models, from the Type 21 to the Type 52. The instructions are an absolute boon of information. There are no less than EIGHT pages dedicated to the discussion of the Zeros camouflage. This includes the most recent research by notable Japanese historians, including Nicholas Millman. It is a reference in itself that is worth the price of the decal sheet. There are color chips! When was the last time you were given color chips with your decals? You also get two masks to protect the areas where the aircraft information is on the fuselage.

Dash Two decals was founded in 2005 by a long-time plastic modeler who had a hard time finding markings he was interested in. The only way to get the markings nobody else would make is to learn how to take the plunge and learn the process, starting with creating vector artwork. I cannot say who the printer(s) are for the water slide decals, but they are names well respected and known to the scale modeling community.

Packaged in a large sleeve (letter-size sheet), four-page full-color instruction sheet, one cram-packed decal sheet, and a single small additional sheet with “505” slanted markings. The 4-page, full-color instructions are very well laid out, showing locations of decals as well as key comments unique to certain aircraft. As simple as the colors are on Growlers, the paint callouts refer to Federal Standard (now AMS) instead of a specific paint brand, which I prefer.

Dash Two Decals is a new company to me, but looking at their website, they are a one-person company based in the US that specializes in modern/recent US Navy subjects. The 1/48 scale sheet I was sent is for E/A-18G Growler line jets and features eight low-visibility Growler schemes on a full 8.5×11-inch sheet.

The included markings are:

• VAQ-141 Shadowhawks - 507
• VAQ-130 Zappers - 501, with mission markings, and 504 “Ladybird”
• VAQ-144 Main Battery - 503 “The Intimidator,” with mission markings
• VAQ-133 Wizards - 506 and 505 “Shadow Wizard”
• VAQ-142 Grey Wolves - 500 CAG jet
• VAQ-137 Rooks - 501

504 Ladybird commemorates Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay “Miley” Evans and Lt. Serena “Dug” Wileman, two decorated Naval Aviators lost in a tragic fatal training accident in October 2024. RIP Ladybirds.

DXM (Double Excellent Model) Decals is a hobby company based in Taiwan and has been producing models since 2018. DXM produces modern jet aircraft (primarily United States, Japan, and Israel, but there are some other unique air forces – Hellenic, Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force, etc.) decals in 1/144, 1/72, 1/48, and 1/32 scales. In addition, there are weathering/rusted airbrush templates, 3D parts, and conversion sets. The decals are printed by Cartograph. You can see their amazing products on their homepage and even have a YouTube video reference for applying their decals.

DXM’s 1/48 scale USMC F/A-18C/D VMFA-312 & 115 Decals Set has five options from MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, all from VMFA-312 DR 214:

One of the newer suppliers for the IPMS-USA Review Corps is DXM Decals, the DXM stands for Double Excellent Models. While as the name implies, the company specializes in decals, they also produce detail parts and paint masks for airbrushing aircraft. The company produces their products for 1/72, 1/48, and 1/32 scale aircraft. The decals are printed by Cartograf, who is known for their quality work. Any modeler that has applied water-slide decals will have no issues with using this set.