Background and Historical Notes

From DXM Hobby Studio’s Decal Notes

These decal sheets provide some very colorful markings for eight of the U.S. Navy’s F-14B Tomcat squadrons, covering markings from the years 2001 – 2004. These are all from VF-103 ‘Jolly Rogers’ squadron, and all display either high visibility or low vis aircraft flying NAS Oceana.

This 1/48^th scale sheet is intended for use with either the Hasegawa, Great Wall or Hobby Boss kits.

As you first enter the DXM website, you learn several items of interest, including just how to navigate their large catalog of decal sheets (in several possible scales) which is not the simplest to navigate through, a straightforward company history (a Taiwan based ‘group of model addiction guys’), their full name stands for ‘Double Excellent Model’, and a nicely illustrated YouTube video explaining their suggested decal application methodology (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFzBgbCiEqY).

DXM also provides a basic roadmap for successful application of their decals.

1. After painting the kit, suggest spraying with clear coat on the surface of kit, and it will help decals fit the kit more.
2. Cut the design out of the decal sheet and place them in clean water for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
3. Remove them from water. Need to check; it will be ready to apply if you use your finger to move the design easily on the bottom paper.
4. Keep the design on the bottom paper still, place the decal on correct position where you want to apply. Please note, we suggest utilizing your finger tip on the design and slide off the bottom paper.
5. Push out excess water and any air bubbles under the decal by soft and clean cloth or cosmetic tips.
6. Suggest to wait for 24 hours after applying decals to spray the final gross/semi-gross/ matt coating.

Initial Impressions of the DXM Hobby Studio Decals

As a fan of ‘Jolly Rogers’ (back to their initial days as VF-84), I was immediately interested in these decals, and from the DXM’s artwork and printing by Cartograf of Italy I am very impressed with these decals. There are two sheets of printed decals included.

Fit and Finish

These decals fit the model perfectly. I have attached five scanned images to illustrate these colorful aircraft.

I cut out several of the F-14B decals from the large number of four Tomcat aircraft included in this package, all of which are shown assigned to Carrier Air Wing 17, and the carriers USS John F. Kennedy or USS George Washington. I chose the VF-103 F-14B BuNo162918 CAG a/c markings for my application test and only used several of the markings, even though the famous ‘Bomb Cat’ is what I will probably end up painting and markings.

I began my decal test with an initial two light layers of Alclad II Lacquer’s Aqua Gloss Clear (#ALC 600). I then primed the model surface using Mr. Surfacer 1200 (#B-515). These decals worked beautifully and I did follow their suggested 24 hour delay before applying my final Testors Dullcoat Lacquer (#1160) finish. There were no issues and these decals provided just the colorful touch to a Great Wall F-14B kit I am working on. I should note that this Great Wall kit of the Tomcat also features a VF-103 painted a/c, though in the high-vis markings. Though previously mentioned, these decals may also be used on the Hasegawa, Great Wall, or Hobby Boss kits.

These decals all fit in their intended locations, and I am sure they would with the other Hasegawa or Hobby Boss kits as well. If the price for Great Wall kit is ‘above your pay grade’ the other two kits may be more attractive.

Recommendation

As you can see from my previous notes, I found these decals easy to use, accurate in shape and size, very colorful, and a pleasure to use. Try them, and I believe you’ll be as impressed as I am — highly recommended.

I want to thank the DXM Hobby Studio for the opportunity to review these decals.