1:72 F-14A/D helmet and dress sewing markings VF-2, VF-101, VF-31 decal sheet

Decals for the helmets and patches of F-14A/D crews in 1:72 scale – HAD models

A decal sheet meant for figures, not for the surface of an aircraft model. It transfers the markings of pilot helmets and the patches on the flight clothing of the crews of the F-14 fighter in the A and D versions. The 1:72 scale means the designs really are tiny — a pilot figure in this scale is around two and a half centimeters tall, so it is a detail that only shows in the hand or in a close-up photograph.

The real subject

The F-14 was a two-seat carrier fighter with a variable-geometry wing, and it served in the US Navy from the 1970s. The D version was the last and the most capable, with new engines and modernized avionics. The set covers the squadrons VF-2, VF-101 and VF-31, that is, units connected with the service of this type. For naval airmen a helmet was a personal thing, and the colored squadron markings on it tended to be bold — on a model it is one of the few ways to give a figure a unit to belong to.

Use and tips

• Work with tweezers and a magnifier; the designs are minute in this scale
• Smooth the base under the decal and seal it with a gloss or satin coat
• A softener helps the design flow around the curve of a helmet
• Settle the decal by laying a tissue on it, not by pushing it with a finger
• Unify the finished figure with a matte clear coat

Who the set is for

For modelers who build US Navy aviation in 1:72 scale and want a crew beside the aircraft that belongs to one particular squadron. Because of the size of the designs the work is more demanding and suits more experienced builders.