VF-143
Pukin' Dogs

Last Ride

1/48 scale

Fightertown Decals

Reviewed by Rodger Kelly

HyperScale is proudly supported by Squadron

Here is another new sheet from Brian Plesica's and Mike Pister’s company, Fightertown Decals. 

This time we are treated to markings for Atlantic Fleet jets of VF-143, the World Famous Pukin’ Dogs. 

But some history first. 

VFA-143’s association with the F-14 has been long and action packed.  They transitioned to the Tomcat in April 1976 and made their first deployment aboard the Atlantic Fleet’s USS America.  Fast forward some 28 years to 2004 and they found themselves still flying the Tomcat, albeit a latter version, and aboard the USS George Washington in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

It is from these final days that the machines that feature on this sheet depict.  Markings are provided for three machines as follows: 

• F-14B Bureau number 163220 Dog 100 the CAG bird.  The aircraft is in the basic Tactical Paint Scheme (TPS) finish of FS35237 dark blue/grey over FS36375 light compass grey worn by the F-14.  She wears a little colour (dark blue) but this is confined to a “sash” across her forward fuselage (and external fuel tanks), fuselage national insignia), airwing identifiers (and ship’s initials), modex, three cord-wise stripes/inverted chevron and the caps of her vertical stabilizers.  Nose art is worn on the right hand side of the fuselage in the form of the familiar twin tailed tomcat figure leaning on the Pukin’ Dogs winged griffin insignia with a banner bearing the words “LAST RIDE”.  This marking is supplied as a two-part decal with the blue detail being applied over a white background.

• F-14B Bureau number 162921, modex 102, the Executive Officers Jet.  This bird is in the same basic TPS scheme and markings of the CAG bird above with the substitution of black modex and nose art.

• F-14B Bureau number 162701, modex 111 a squadron line bird.   More of the same here as she is marked the same as the previous option.

This sheet too carries the much welcomed tiny data placards for the landing gear struts, catapult launch bar, warning data placards for the ejector seats as well as a complete set of formation keeping “slime lights” and a set of black “petal” decals to add detail and an appearance of depth to the jet nozzles.  Squadron markings for the crew’s helmets, and squadron insignia shoulder patches and two complete sets of Lantrin pod stencil data and placard markings are provided as is a pair of white “stripe” squadron produced vinyl intake covers should you want to go to the extra lengths of scratch building or purchasing a set of aftermarket Steel Beach ones. 

Fightertown Decals’ typical thoroughness continues with the placement guide.  It is A-4 in size and printed on good quality glossy paper.  It shows both left and right hand side for each option as well as plan views of the topsides for the CAG bird and the other two options.  Full and comprehensive notes are also included and guide you on weapons load outs and weapon rail configuration as is a comprehensive list of aftermarket products available for the 1/48 scale F-14. 

The decals themselves have been printed by Microscale.  Two sheets are provided, a very crowded main one and a smaller one that carries the “slime lights”.  Everything on my sample is in perfect register, sharply printed and looks to be the right shades of colour to my eye (for info, the dark blue used by the squadron is very deceptive, looking very blue up close and black at a distance of a few paces). A paper mask is also provided to assist you with the application of the walkways.  You can use them as either a positive or a negative mask and full instructions are included on their use. 

The decal sheets, support guide and walkway mask come packed in a clear plastic zip-loc bag.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

Fightertown Decals website reference page at http://s106.photobucket.com/albums/m244/renegades24/Puking%20Dogs/?start=all has some excellent colour reference pics of the machines that feature on the sheet including close-ups of the nose art to further assist you.

Make no mistake, this is an excellent decal sheet with first rate supporting material and it is heartily recommended.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Fightertown Decals for the review sample.

Postscript

In case you were wondering how the Pukin’ Dogs got their name.   The sea story that I heard goes like this:

“Once upon a time long, long ago a cake was made to celebrate the Squadron’s birthday.  Atop the cake was a margarine reproduction of the Squadrons winged Griffin emblem.   The celebrations went on for a considerable time when it came time to cut the cake the margarine griffin had softened somewhat and was drooping.  One of the wives’ of Squadron members who was present noted this and made the remark that it looked more like a puking dog than a winged griffin”.  Or so the story goes!

Review Copyright © 2007 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 11 October, 2007
Last updated 24 December, 2007

Back to HyperScale Main Page

Back to Reviews Page