Decal reviews
FRROM’S EXOTIC POTEZ MARKINGS
French manufacturer FRROM has released a stunning set of aftermarket decals with its own 1/72 Potez 25 kit in mind. Operators include Ethiopia, Manchura and Indochina...how's that for exotic biplanes!
A BIRDWATCHER'S DREAM
On Target Decals’ first collection of 1/72 BAE Hawk markings is a stunning selection of 17 liveries worn by variants of the popular type.
MUSTANG'S MINIATURE MARKINGS
Designed to suit either Revell or Tamiya kits, but possibly usable with other 1/32 P-51Ds, Eduard’s stencil decals are ideal for adding the array of detailed information to Mustang airframes plus replacing lost or damaged kit markings.
AMERICA'S RYANAIR
Imitating the Irish airline Ryanair’s business model, American low-cost operator Skybus was a short-lived private carrier that operated 13 Airbus A319s between May 22, 2007 and April 4, 2008 – one of these aircraft is the subject of Decales Global’s markings.
DAZZLING DARTS
Modellers with either Trumpeter’s splendid 1/48 kit or conversion sets for their Monogram/Revell Delta Darts will find much to savour with Iliad’s selection of two-seat F-106B Delta Darts.
ASIAN ARMOUR
Here’s a useful, if somewhat eclectic, set of 1/35 markings for military modellers, in the form of Lebanese Armed Forces unit markings.
COLOURFUL PUCARÁS
The arrival of Kinetic’s 1/48 Pucará has produced a flurry of aftermarket goodies, with this set of markings from Two Bobs arguably being one of the highlights.
COLOURFUL CHARACTERS
Until 2018, Russia’s Air Force was separate from the country’s Air and Space Defence Force – upon their conjoining, a new style of Bort Number, registration and airframe serial font was established.
TRAINERS AND VIPS
Modellers wanting different schemes for their Airfix 1/72 Dominie T.1s may want to consider this collection of six airframe options, of which five are for that type (four wearing the classic red/white/grey livery), while the sixth is for an HS.125 Series 400/CC.1 airframe.
SPECIAL DELTA
The Belgian Air Force is one of several European air arms that regularly clads its aircraft in anniversary schemes, so the retirement of the Mirage 5 from service in 1993 was never going to be passed up.
TURNING POINT ARMOUR
This is ToRo Model’s first selection of British Sherman tanks as used during the Second Battle of El Alamein, which was arguably the point on which World War Two’s Desert Campaign swung toward Allied success.
GLOBAL GUNSHIPS
Xtradecal has been inspired by Zvezda’s recent 1/48 Hind helicopter gunship to produce an eclectic collection of markings for the type, although most of these will be suitable for Monogram’s much older offering.
SEIZING THE CANAL
Modelling to a theme can be highly rewarding from an educational perspective, which makes Star Decals’ products – such as this first set covering the Suez Crisis – most welcome.
ELITE DREIDECKERS
Czech firm Eduard has teamed with Chinese company Meng to produce this set of aftermarket decals for the latter’s recent 1/32 Fokker Dr.I triplane, providing typically striking schemes for four Jagdgeschwader I ‘Flying Circus’ aircraft.
PLYING TRADE
Designed for recreating the plywood-skinned construction of World War One-era Albatros fighters, Peewit’s 1/72 wood-pattern decals are also suitable for a range of other applications, such as in buildings or other vehicles.
GULF MEDICINE
With 30 years having passed since the First Gulf War – known to British forces as Operation Granby – kit depictions of the equipment used during the conflict are sure to be popular.
NORTH AFRICAN AIRBUS
Established by controversial businessman Rafik Khalifa, the Algerian firm Khalifa Airlines operated cargo and passenger operations from 1999, famously sponsored football team Olympique de Marseille’s shirts between 2001-03 and was dissolved in July of the latter year. One of its Airbus A320s is the subject of Decales Global’s 1/144 decals.
THE DEVIL'S KITTIES
While Eduard has its own 1/48 Hellcat kits in mind for this lovely decal set, they should fit most same-scale offerings, with just the tail markings for the VF-17 option potentially being an issue (although they could easily be masked and sprayed).
THIRD GUARDS QUARTET
Iliad’s third batch of Air National Guard (ANG) P-51Ds features examples from Wyoming, California, Arizona and Ohio, all of which are clad in natural metal finishes; three airframes are equipped with Hamilton Standard ‘uncuffed’ propellers, while the fourth has a ‘cuffed’ version.
LAND OF GREATER POLAND
Modellers with large-scale Mossies from either Revell or Tamiya wanting to replicate airframes flown by Polish crews during World War Two will find Model Makers’ well-designed package ideal.
SMALL-SCALE DEVILS
While there aren’t many 1/72 kits of the KTO Rosomak (primarily Tololoko, S&S Models, G3 Resin and Auto Loto Motiv offerings), ToRo Models has produced a set of alternative decals to provide Polish markings for such products.
STORMING SCHEMES
The second of DK Decals’ Hurricane collections provides markings for 15 schemes and includes examples of the Royal Navy’s Sea Hurricane Mk.I, along with the more common land-based version.
COLOSSUS AND CASEMATE
Star Decals has mirrored two increasing military modelling trends with these decals, as they cater for 1/48 offerings and Finnish insignia.
AUSTRALASIAN TRAINING
H-Models has produced several limited-edition decal sheets for 1/48 Kawasaki Ki-48 Sokei kits, one of which provides this pair of alternative schemes to those supplied in AZ Models styrene or Sanger’s vac-form kits.
TWIN-ENGINED EAGLE KNIGHT
Airliner modellers seeking something different for their Eastern Express, Minicraft, Welsh Models or Zvezda Boeing 757-200 kits may find Decales Global’s AeroMexico set ideal.
SIXTIES SCHOOLING
Part of Air-Graphic’s UK Air Power Series, this superb collection of aftermarket decals covers a range of winged and rotary training types in service with the RAF during the 1960s.
GUARD TRANSPORTS
Here’s another great collection of C-47s for those wanting a different livery for their Airfix, HobbyBoss or Italeri kits.
BUMPER BOMBER COLLECTION
When it comes to offering choice, few manufacturers can match Begemot. For example, take this sheet dedicated to the Tupolev SB-series bombers – 40 options are provided, covering Soviet (VVS RKKA), Spanish Republican and Republic of China machines.
AIRSHOWS AND INTELLIGENCE
Aftermarket decal company Kits- World regularly covers unusual schemes – this set of 1/48 B-17 markings is a case in point, depicting a current museum airframe and a captured Luftwaffe example.
UPSCALED SPOOKS
Modellers interested in Euro Decals’s collection of 1/72 F-4 Phantom IIs who prefer 1/48 will find the firm’s enlarged quarter-scale markings of interest.