Ok to start off, WOW! Now that I got that out of the way Fightertown Decals always produces great sheets with multiple marking options. This one is one of the best yet. This was previously released but this set has been adjusted to fit the Tamiya kit, as well as, any other F-14/F-18 kit, and this sheet even includes some new aircraft.

‘Top Gun’- the movie, has produced more dreams in the minds of little kids of my generation than any propaganda movie ever. I know I was in love with the high speed, low level flying and the good story. Okay so it wasn’t believable, but it was a good story. Anyhow the aircraft, especially the F-14, was the actual star of the movie. With the new Top Gun 2 being made currently the interest is sure to grow again, even if Maverick will be flying an F/A-18.

The latest sheet, or reissued and improved sheet, from Fightertown Decals covers this iconic fighter and its replacement, the F/A-18 in all its variants. Packaged in a large ziplock bag are six double-sided pages of high-quality full color prints that covers the four views of the aircraft. There are 30 aircraft on this sheet. Yes, you heard that right, THIRTY aircraft. There is something in here for everyone and not just those that like grey airplanes. There are some really colorful Tomcats and Hornets. As Aggressor aircraft, they display paint schemes frequently seen on potential adversaries. Some Iranian Air Force F-14 schemes are seen as well. Each aircraft is covered with a side view and where necessary the inside tails are shown as well. Each aircraft color callout is shown by the FS number.

The decals themselves are printed by Cartograf on a HUGE sheet of 8 x 11.5. They are perfectly in register and flawless. There are colors galore. You will have to look closely and use a new knife blade to remove them, but they are all on this tightly packed sheet. It is unbelievable how much information is on the sheet. All the stencils that are applicable for the unique aircraft markings are provided but you will have to source the regular stencils elsewhere.

So, let’s look at some of the highlight jets. First off there are markings for Maverick and Goose’s F-14, both of them. Oh yes, there were two. Then there was the two Iceman aircraft and Cougar’s aircraft as well. Decals are even provided for Maverick and Goose’s helmets. Ain’t that cool? Two other aircraft from the movie that I don’t remember are Powder Puff blue, 30 and 34. Very unique looking aircraft.

In addition to the movie paint schemes, the F-14 is shown in multiple grey schemes, overall Dark Grey, three different Flanker schemes, one blues, one winter splinter and one brown. For the F/A-18, the colors are even more varied. Of course, there are the standard greys, but there is also one Eggplant, one with winter splinter scheme, one with upper surface blue and one with upper surface brown. The latest paint scheme of Fullback Ghost as it is called is covered as well. Then of course there is the brand-new F/A-18 paint scheme used in the new movie, with both types of kill markings on it, F-18 and MiG-29 kills. There are also two Iranian Air Force painted aircraft.

This is another amazing sheet from Fightertown Decals. It has something for everyone. If you have an F-14 or F/A-18 this sheet has something for you. The lack of stencils is not an issue on most of these examples. I like the research that went into this sheet. I’ve got to do a Maverick F-14. The instructions are really nice and will look good framed even. Printing by the world leader in decals, Cartograf and meticulously researched by Fightertown, what more could you want from a decal sheet. There are THIRTY aircraft for $25? You will not find a much better bargain.

I’ll let you in on a little secret, the ‘Top Gun’ movie airplane markings are on the sheet in 1/144th scale as well.

Highly recommended

Thanks to Fightertown Decals and IPMS/USA for the review copy. You can obtain you copy by contacting them directly at www.fightertowndecals.com or at your local hobby shop or online retailer.