For aircraft modelers of the 1/48 scale Tomcat, the folks at HADMODELS have recently released decals for the often-overlooked helmet and flight suit markings worn by the pilots and RIOs (Radar Intercept Officers) of the F-14. The set that I reviewed include helmet markings and patches for VF-2 (Bounty Hunters), VF-31 (Tomcatters), VF-101 (Grim Reapers), as well as the IRIAF (who still fly the F-14). The decals are produced by Cartograph, so they will not present a challenge to most modelers.

The decal sheet itself provides markings for two helmets for each squadron and the VF-101 marking can be used on up to four helmets. There are also the famous F-14 triangular and circular sleeve patches for each of the squadrons, name patches, shoulder rank patches, additional circular patches for the front of the flight suit, and two American flag patches. The decals are very well printed in all aspects (correct colors, properly scaled, clear details, etc.) on a diminutive 35mm by 65mm (about 1-3/8 inch by 2-9/16 inch) backing sheet. Instructions for decal placement are on a single sheet of paper folded in half.

For this review I pulled the pilot and RIO figures from my Tamiya F-14A kit (item 61114) and assembled and painted them. Just a quick note about the colors as I have the book “US Aircrew Combat Flight & Survival Gear” from Motorbooks International which calls the “green” used on flight suits Sage Green. To my eyes, SAC Bomber Green (FS 34159) is the closest color I have found to matching this. I often see these figures painted olive drab, which is completely wrong, so I just wanted to mention the information here. Anyway, the Tamiya figures look great, and Tamiya does actually provide helmet decals with this kit.

If you have ever seen the actual patches, they have some thickness to them meaning that they do not fold easily. As Tamiya did not mold in areas for these decals, I did elect to form them to the folds of the flight suit. As the Tamiya figures include items worn on the front of the flight suit, there was no place for the patches on the chest area as these would be covered up. After painting the figures, I placed areas of Future (yes, it is an old bottle but still good) mixed with distilled water on the upper sleeves of the flight suits (the helmets were already glossy). Micro Set and Micro Sol worked beautifully to set the decals in place over the folds in the uniforms. I brushed a coat of AK Ultra Matte Varnish over the decals on the uniforms and Future and distilled water over the helmets.

As far as my hits are concerned, I can really appreciate the unique choice in this set of decals as flight suit patches are always present in real life, but not typically represented on figures. These decals provide a great way to dress up your cockpit figures, and there are other squadrons that are also available in other releases. While not really a big deal, my only miss is that the shoulder board rank markings are only for Rear Admiral Lower Half (one star) and Rear Admiral (two stars) which does not align with the ranks that typically flew the jets.

In closing, I would highly recommend this decal sheet set to any modeler wanting to add some detail to their Tomcat flight crew. Any modeler with experience placing small decals will have no issues with this set, and Micro Sol is adequately strong to get the patch decals to lay over folds in the flight suits.

I would like to thank HADMODELS for being gracious enough to provide this decal sheet to IPMS-USA for review!