Decal reviews
SIMPLE SPEEDSTER SOLUTION
Intended for use with any iteration of NuNu’s 1/24 BMW M6 GT3 racer (built in AMW100 – March 2019), these Decalcas markings cover the Turner Motorsport team’s striking 2019 24 Hours of Daytona entry.
TRADITIONAL SCHEMES
Foxbot’s Warriors of Light release caters for 11 Ukrainian Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot aircraft.
CENTURY SCHEMES
Modellers with 1/72 F-100D kits in their stash will appreciate this splendid selection of gaudy US Air Force schemes from homeland and West Germany-deployed units, from a time when natural metal airframes with brightly coloured markings were the norm.
WESTERN DESERT ARMOUR
Here’s another set of ToRo Model decals for 1/35 Sherman tanks at the Second Battle of El Alamein –a clash that marked the turning point in World War Two’s Western Desert Campaign.
SPREAD YOUR WINGS
Here’s a decidedly different scheme for those with Monogram or SOVA-M 1/72 long-winged Albatross kits, in the shape of Red Bull Racing’s striking livery, complete with charging animal artwork on the fuselage and the company’s logo on the two-tone vertical stabiliser.
PHINAL PHLOURISH
Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force has never been shy when it comes to special schemes on its aircraft, and arguably some of the most striking have been created to mark the retirement of the F-4EJ – this set from DXM provides markings for 302nd Squadron’s ‘white Phantom’ (similar attire for the unit’s ‘black Phantom’ are available as 91-7130).
DEUTSCHE AIRFRAME DATA
This set of Luftwaffe stencils for 1/48 Eurofighters is perfect for replacing lost, missing or damaged markings and can offer an alternative to a kit-supplied livery.
“WITNESS THE FIREPOWER”
Modellers wanting a convincing replica of the second Death Star from Return of the Jedi via Bandia’s splendid kit may find Greenstrawberry’s bespoke decal set useful, as it provides markings for all exterior surfaces.
FLYING WITH A SMILE
One of Slovakia-based airline Sky Europe’s most striking liveries bore the face of Miss Austria 2006 Tatjiana Batinić on the fuselage, and this is replicated by BOA Decals’ set.
FREE LISTING: EASTERN FRONT HAWKS
FREE: Complete listing of schemes included in Begemot's 1/48 collection of Curtiss P-40s operated by Soviet forces - one of the most comprehensive works on a single type, containing decals for no fewer than 41 individual aircraft.
FEATHERED GUARDIAN
Aftermarket specialist Euro Decals has scaled down its stunning Oregon Air National Guard 2016 commemorative markings so those that prefer 1/72 can build this strikingly painted airframe.
AIR BRIDGE SKYTRAINS
Iliad’s superb collection of Berlin Airlift C-47 Skytrains is ideal for those with Airfix’s recent 1/72 offerings as it provides markings for four machines, giving a mix of military- and civilian-registered aircraft.
OVERSEAS FALCONS
ICM has been quick to follow up the release of its lovely CR.42 kits with its own markings for foreign operated machines.
FIXED/ROTARY-WING ENSEMBLE
Modellers with Airfix or Special Hobby 1/72 Anson Mk.Is or awaiting the 1/72 Wasp HAS.1 from S&M Models will welcome this collection from Model Art, which offers five and eight schemes respectively for French and British airframes.
UKRAINIAN FROGFOOT
Foxbot’s latest Ukrainian Warriors of Light collection features 15 Su-25 Frogfoot airframes, all clad in the current digital-style four-tone camouflage.
ROCKET MARKINGS
While stencils for aircraft and helicopters are increasingly common, this isn’t necessarily true for the weapons they carry, but Ze-Ro decals has stepped into this gap with a lovely set of markings for the ubiquitous UB-32-57 rocket pods carried by Croatian Air Force assets between 1994 and 2013.
TOOTHY DELTAS
Syhart has a well-deserved reputation for releasing eye-catching and attractive schemes and its latest set, for two Mirage IIIE airframes with commemorative markings for the 70th anniversary of EC 2/4 ‘La Fayette’ and the squadron’s Sitting Bull insignia, is another fine example.
PACIFIC SHERMANS
ToRo’s first collection of Pacific Theater Shermans provides markings for seven overall Olive Drab machines, with examples of M4, M4A1, M4 (Composite) and M4A2 tanks.
GALLIC THUNDERBOLTS
The second batch of French P-47D Thunderbolts from LPS Hobby offers a pair of late-production P-47D-30 airframes, which both had a tail fillet (fitted as standard to -40 aircraft).
JORDANIAN CARRIER
Fans of airline models wanting an unusual subject may find this set from Decales Global of interest, as it provides markings for Aqaba Airlines’ sole Boeing 737-300 airframe, JY-JAB.
HIND AIRFRAME DATA
Sometimes, adding refinement to a model doesn’t involve resin, photo-etched brass or scratch-building – it relies on aircraft stencilling and this comprehensive product from Eduard provides a complete set of such markings for Zvezda’s recent Mi-24V Hind-E in Russian and English.
LARGE-SCALE 'SCHMITTS
Modellers seeking an unusual scheme for 1/32 Messerschmitt Bf 109E kits should consider Euro Decals’ superb collection of markings.
ZERO FLOATPLANE
Intended for Hasegawa’s out-of-production 1/72 A6M2-N kit, this splendid collection of Rufe floatplanes offers sufficient insignia and unit markings for four complete models.
DAZZLING DELTA
Syhart is known for its meticulous approach on its decals, and this three-sheet package for a 2017 Rafale C display aircraft is no exception, as it also provides two sheets of vinyl pre-cut self-adhesive paint masks to assist in recreating its striking livery.
JUMP JET LIVERIES
With the arrival of Kinetic’s 1/48 Harrier GR.1/3 kit, alternative schemes will be desirable and Xtradecal’s collection of early RAF airframes is ideal for this offering plus any other quarter-scale representation of the type.
SMALL-SCALE IMPERIAL
Here’s a great way to add refinement to Bandai’s gorgeous 1/14500 scale Imperial Star Destroyer, courtesy of Greenstrawberry’s bespoke decal set.
MULTI-TONED FIGHTER STRIPS
If recreating a five-colour lozenge on World War One biplanes wasn’t challenging enough, the addition of slightly different tone ribbing and edging strips can be just too much, so Eduard’s pre-printed versions for its splendid Fokker D.VII will be welcomed.
NORTH OR SOUTH AMERICA?
Brazilian firm LPS Hobby has produced a range of aftermarket decals for 1/72 Curtiss P-36 Hawks (also known as the Hawk-75), and this pair of schemes includes an example operated by the company’s home country.