This is the fourth & final sheet of the original Colorful Crusaders series.

     As usual for Aeromaster, the instructions are printed in full color, with a general description of each a/c at the bottom of the page.  The decals are on three separate pages, the first having all the unit markings, the second having the common markings, & the third having the CAG markings for VF-191 a/c on a very small sheet.  Nine national insignias are provided, with three of them cut along the air-to-air refueling probe door for easier application of this decal if the door is modeled in the open position.  All of the red stripes for the national insignia are separate decals.  Two pairs of intake warning triangles are included, along with one set of four black non-skid walkway rectangles.  Four “NAVY” decals round out the common markings, as there are no maintenance markings.  All three a/c are in the gull gray over white scheme.  Unfortunately, the replacement resin fin cap with the long RHAW fairing that was seen on late model Js is not included with this sheet as it was with the first two sheets in the series.

     The first a/c covered is an F-8J from VF-191 “Satan’s Kittens”, circa 1974, after its last carrier deployment before transitioning to the F-4.  As this is a late model J, it has the long RHAW fairing on the vertical tail.  A multi-piece decal goes around the edges of the fairing (#’s 8 & 9), and the other fills it in (#’s 11 & 12).  The CAG diamond on the tail can be a one-piece decal (#’s 13 & 14), or a two piece (#’s 13x + 13y & 14x + 14y), with the colored facets being separate.  While looking at my reference books, I noticed that the squadron markings did not change very much during the units 16 years flying the A, B, E, & J versions, so this sheet can be used as a starting point for all the a/c the unit flew.

     The second a/c is another J model, this time from VF-53 “Iron Angels”, circa 1970.  This unit scored a Mig kill while flying the E model.  Notice the black area that surrounds the gun muzzle area, & that the muzzles themselves are painted yellow.  The four anti-skid walkway decals go on this a/c.  All other markings are standard for the type.

     The final a/c from this sheet is a J model from VF-211 “Fighting Checkmates/Checkertails”, also circa 1970.  This unit had the most air-to-air kills of all the F-8 units, with 7 Mig kills to its credit.  The tail markings consist of three decals per side.  The largest of the three is the rudder decal that has the red squares & the upper end of the check mark (#’s 45 & 46).  The lower end of the check marks (#’s 40 & 41) is shaped to allow the black NP tail code to go over this area without any bleed through.  This a/c has its gun muzzles painted red.

      VF-191 transitioned to the F-4 in 1978, & disestablished a short time later, only to be reestablished in 1986 to fly the F-14 for 2 years before going away again for the final time in 1988.  VF-53 was desestablished in 1971.  VF-211 transitioned directly to the F-14A from the F-8J, flew the F-14A+ (F-14B) for 4 years, & now flies upgraded LANTRIN equipped A models.

A short bit of Naval Aviation information for you land-lubbers from the Editor. Squadrons are established and later disestablished. Ships are commissioned and decommissioned. Yeah, I know it doesn't make sense, but that's the way it is. I'm sure that the USAF has its own little phrase it uses when it starts and stops units.

Please note that the sheet may look a bit short as I'll often crop off common markings to save on server space.

Review sheet courtesy

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