Two Bobs Aviation Graphics continues to release decals to celebrate the special paint schemes that the US Navy is using to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Flight (Centennial of Naval Aviation or CONA). Each decal sheet contains markings for these special aircraft, and a 3” sticker with the CONA official logo. Two Bobs actually has an official licensing agreement with the Navy to bring these decals to us in the hobby world! As always, this Two Bobs release features decals which are thin, crisp, and in perfect register.

This decal sheet covers two VFA-106 Gladiators Hornets from NAS Oceana seen in December 2010.

Packaging is the usual clear zipper bag we see decals in, and inside is a one-page, full color sheet which contains color information, the decal placement directions, and some images of the actual aircraft. This package contains one “standard size” decal sheet, as well as two smaller insert sheets, and the 3” sticker mentioned earlier. Decals are printed by Microscale Industries for Two Bobs.

The first aircraft is an F/A-18C, BuNo 163745, painted in overall Dark Sea blue (FS15042). If you are like me and don’t like to put the 200 little decals on your kits, this scheme is for you! Markings are light on this aircraft, carrying only the black walkways and general markings in white, including US stars and bars squadron info, BuNo, and a large 45. There is also a small nose art decal included for this aircraft. I enjoy the retro look to this aircraft, as it has both the WWII and the modern squadron markings of VBF-17 and VFA-106. I also enjoy the fact that the aircraft wears NAVY markings on one side and MARINE markings on the other, both of which show “USS HORNET (CV-12)” as the carrier. A nice, simple scheme sure to make your Hornet stand out!

The second aircraft covered in this decal sheet is an F/A-18E Super Hornet, also from VFA-106. This aircraft has a more traditional paint job of FS36320 and FS36375. This sheet has many of the small markings we have come to expect on the Hornet, and Two Bobs has included them all! This is a good hi-res scheme with catchy yellow tail marking and VA-106 USS Forrestal markings.

If you’re interested in adding some colorful Hornets to your display case, look no further. I highly recommend this and the other CONA sheets to anyone wishing to celebrate the CONA, or just looking to add something a little different to their collection.
Thank you again to Two Bobs for this review sample and for bringing these very special CONA sheets to the modeling world!