USN/USMC F/A-18C & F/A-18D VX-9 Vampires Value Pack
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.
This set is a value pack and includes markings for both an F/A-18C and a D (also released individually as set 32015 for the F/A-18C and 32017 for the F/A-18D). While I was able to find images of both aircraft in these markings, I was unable to find the dates when they were flying. In a previous review there were several kits mentioned for using the decals in the set, but none are mentioned for this set. As far as I know, and can find, only Academy has released these two aircraft in 1/32 scale.
Upon opening the package, you will find a single, folded sheet of paper with color illustrations for decal placement and paint color guides using FS (Federal Standard) numbers. One side provides the packaging image along with left and right-hand side views of both marking options and FS numbers, while the other side provides top and bottom views along with the FS numbers. The decals themselves are printed on two 215 by 152 mm sheets (8-7/16 by 6 inches), one for each aircraft. All colors are in register, and the set allows for marking both an F/A-18C and an F/A-18D.
My hits for this set are the unique aircraft selected for representation as well as the quality of the decals. I have no misses for this set. I applied a “No Step” decal from DXM previously over a spare part painted with a gloss paint and it settled without issue using Micro Set and Micro Sol to test the decals. While the MSRP is $32, at the time of this review the set is on sale at DXM for $25.
I highly recommend this decal set to any modeler wanting to a couple of unique legacy Hornets serving the VX-9 Vampires with a USN F/A-18C and/or a USMC F/A-18D. My sincere thanks to DXM Decals for providing this set to the IPMS/USA Review Corps, and I appreciate having had the opportunity to perform this assessment.
Reviewer Bio
Scott Hollingshead
Scott retired from the commercial nuclear industry with over thirty years of experience in Maintenance, Engineering, and Training. Prior to that he served on two aircraft carriers during his time in the U.S. Navy. He has been building models for over 50 years with his first kit being purchased with money from his grandparents for his sixth birthday. With a stash that consists of more aircraft than anything else, Scott still enjoys building a little bit of everything (including but not limited to tanks, cars, show cars, military vehicles (aside from tanks), ships, figures, real space, and some science fiction), which keeps his stash growing. Scott and his wife Fern reside in southwest lower Michigan, not far from South Bend, Indiana, and have three adult children and currently three grandchildren as well as a small dog and a large cat.
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