If Airfix’s new 1/35 Ferret Scout Car is on your build list, you might want to consider the useful new markings from Star Decals, says CHRIS CLIFFORD.
The 1/35 new-tool Ferret Scout Car Mk.2 released recently by Airfix pleased legions of military modellers who had, until now, been without a styrene option in this scale. As is a modeller’s want, though, we often look for alternative colour schemes to those provided in the kit box.
See a build of Airfix’s Ferret Mk.2
Sweden’s Star Decals has been relatively quick off the mark with fresh Ferret liveries, having issued four new 1/35 sheets with Airfix’s kit in mind, although they can also be employed on Accurate Armour’s resin versions if you have them:
35-C1390 Ferrets in Cyprus Part 1 – Mk.1 and Mk.2 Scout Cars ($9, top and below)
Here, Star Decals provides liveries for British- and Danish-manned United Nations Ferret Mk.2s, in white, sand or grey. British vehicles hail from 4 Battalion Royal Tank Regiment and The Queen’s Dragoon Guards, the latter being from circa 1986. Danish Contingent (DANCON) Ferrets are from 1964 (with alternatives for 1968-69), plus white examples from the 1970s. Different styles/colours of UN legends are also provided for adorning oil drums used at checkpoints.
35-C1391 Ferrets in Cyprus Part 2 – Canadian UNFICYP Ferret Mk.1 and Mk.2 Scout Cars ($9)
Around ten different grey Ferrets can be portrayed with the markings supplied here, and while initially you might think the monotone livery slightly dull, splashes of colour are dotted around the vehicles, via blue and white UN symbols and various red and yellow formation badge. Snoopy and Road Runner artwork adds extra interest on several of these Canadian Ferrets, operated by Winnipeg-based unit Fort Garry Horse. United Nations badges for antenna-mounted flags are also provided here.
35-C1392 Peacekeepers in the Middle East Part 3 UNEF Canadian Ferret Scout Cars – Suez, Sinai, Gaza ($9)
Both overall white and grey Ferrets are catered for here, all vehicles having white/blue/white vertical stripe symbols on their sides, plus red and yellow formation badges. Around seven schemes can be portrayed.
35-C1393 Aden Emergency 1963-67 Part 1 Ferret Scout Cars ($7)
Desert tones come to the fore here with Star’s sheet, offering decals for overall stone-coloured vehicles, plus those with extra black or green camouflage fields – but all are British. Different formation/unit badges enliven every example, the relevant units being 4 Royal Tank Regiment in 1963, 24th Infantry Brigade in 1966, Queen’s Dragoon Guards, King’s Own Scottish Borderers in 1964-65, and RAF 10 Armoured Car Squadron (Aden Protectorate Levies) in 1956.
Note that the markings are printed on matt carrier film, so they’ll have to be applied to a properly gloss surface to prevent silvering The sheets are all available direct from Star Decals.
