Victory Productions

1/32 Marine F-8E Crusaders decal sheet

product # VPD32002   $24.95

Product article by Steve Bamford on Dec 21 2009

 

This new decal sheet from Victory Models includes markings for 5 different 1/32 F-8E's in USMC paint schemes from 1965 - 1967.  

Aircraft #1 is a F-8E Crusader BuNo 150925 with VMF(AW)-212 Lancers, CVW-16 USS Oriskany (CVA 34) in 1965 during a 7 month cruise in the Tonkin Gulf during the Vietnam War.  This jet is gray on top and white on the underside and has pineapple artwork on the white rudder in honor of it's homebase in Hawaii.  This was one of the few Marine F-8 units to carry Sidewinders on Combat Air Patrols during the Vietnam War.

Aircraft #2 is a F-8E Crusader BuNo 150317 with VMF(AW)-312 Checkerboards, MAG-11 in DaNang AB, RVN in 1965 during the Vietnam War.  This jet is gray on top and white on the underside and has black and White checkerboard on the rudder and tail as well as the sides of the intake.  Almost all this Squadron's missions were air to ground and it carried a variety of mid moving ordnance which is described in the instruction sheets.

Aircraft #3 is a F-8E Crusader BuNo 150317 with VMF(AW)-235 Death Angels, MAG-11 in DaNang AB, RVN in 1966 during the Vietnam War.  This jet is gray on top and white on the underside and has red with white stars on the rudder and tail as well as the sides of the intake.  This Squadron's missions were close air support and the ordnance it carried are described in the instruction sheets.  

Aircraft #4 is a F-8E Crusader BuNo 149212 with VMF(AW)-232 Red devils, MAG-11 in DaNang AB, RVN in 1967 during the Vietnam War.  This jet is gray on top and white on the underside and has Red Devil artwork on the tail.  This Squadron's bomb loads are described in the instruction sheets.  

Aircraft #5 is a F-8E Crusader BuNo 150852 with VMF(AW)-333 Red devils, MAG-32 in MCAS Beaufort, SC in 1967.  This jet is gray on top and white on the underside and has Green 3 leaf clovers and white and green stripes on the tail. 

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

The instructions are clear and include 2 side views of each aircraft as well as a generic top view.  The instructions also guide you on which 1/32 kits have the ordnance required for the jets on this decal sheet.  The decals are beautifully printed by Cartograf on 2 large decal sheets.  Two complete sets of national insignia and stencils are included on this decal sheet.

Of the 17 USMC fighter Squadrons (regular and reserve) that flew the F-8 Crusader, only 4 flew their jets in combat during the Vietnam War and all 4 of those as well as one other Squadron are represented on this decal sheet.  The 1960's was a time of colorful markings long before the lo viz gray jets of today.  If you're building the big Trumpeter Crusader, then this decal sheet is well worth buying in you have your heart set on a USMC Vietnam Crusader.

Steve Bamford

I would like to thank Victory Models for providing me with this review sample.

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford