Decal reviews
CROATIAN STATE MACHINES
Star Decals’ first collection of markings for World War Two vehicles based in the Balkan region is devoted to Croatian machinery, including ex-German, Italian and Polish armoured fighting vehicles.
AFRICANS IN ITALY
Sherman tanks are popular subjects due to their ubiquity, having been operated by most Allied forces during World War Two; among these, South African (SA) machines make for an unusual project and modellers so inclined will find these Star Decals markings of interest.
MIDDLE EASTERN MACHINERY
Israeli armour subjects garner significant interest with modellers, so it’s no surprise aftermarket marking specialist Star Decals has catered for such vehicles, with this set covering M48 Magach and AMX-13 tanks.
FELINE MACHINERY
Modellers with 1/35 kits depicting early-model Tiger tanks may wish to consider this selection of unusual markings options from Star Decals.
D-DAY MARINES
While small-scale kits depicting the Sherman M4A4 variant with the Chrysler A57 ‘cloverleaf’ engine housed in an extended rear hull and widely spaced bogies are unusual, those seeking an alternative scheme for such offerings will enjoy this Star Decals’ product.
MEDICAL TRANSPORT
Food Machinery Corp’s M113 Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) has been adapted to provide a wide array of specialist vehicles and its ambulance variants are the subject of Star Decals’ 13th collection of Israel Defense Force (IDF) Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs).
MILITARY AIRLINERS
Perfect for Airfix’s returning Vintage Classics 1/72 Jetstream, plus offerings from AModel/Sova-M, these Model Art Decal System markings depict the turboprop airliner as operated as training aircraft by the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy.
CHANGING OF THE DOORS
Croatian firm Ze-Ro Decals has produced this neat set of 1/48 decals to represent a Hughes MD 500D helicopter as operated by its homeland’s air force during the Croatian War of Independence.
MOUNTAINOUS MILITARIES
Star Decals has produced markings for a range of armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) used between 1991-93 on both sides of the Abkhaz–Georgian conflict, which began in the late 1980s and remains unresolved.
YAKOVLEV COLLECTION
Foxbot’s collection of 1/72 Yak-9 markings contains 18 options for this Soviet World War Two fighter, including -D and -M long-range airframes, plus -T and -K variants armed with 37mm and 45mm nose-mounted cannon, respectively.
AFRICAN INSIGNIA
Bright Spark’s limited-edition collection of Egyptian Air Force roundels are suitable for smaller aircraft operated by the force from its inception (initially as an army division) during the 1930s until the 1950s, when the current red-white-black insignia were standardised.
INDEPENDENT STATE MACHINES
Following World War One, efforts to gain independence for Ukraine resulted in separate states being established, such as the Zakhidno-Ukrainska Narodnia Respublika (ZUNR – Western Ukrainian People’s Republic).
BOMBER SIGNAGE
Czech firm H-Models Decals has produced a set of 1/48 stencils for quarter-scale Kawasaki Ki-48 Sokei kits, such as AZ Models’ injection-moulded offering or Sanger’s vac-form representation of this twin-engined light bomber, known by its Allied callsign ‘Lily’.
FEATHERED WINGS
Comprising three superbly printed sheets, this Euro Decals package contains 1/48 markings for a specially themed US Air Force F-15C celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Oregon Air National Guard (ANG) in 2016.
NATIONAL GUARD SPECIALS
Modellers wanting colourful markings for their 1/32 F-16Cs need look no further than this lovely set from Euro Decal.
BALKAN FISHBEDS
Here’s a great set for those wanting a different livery on their 1/144 scale MiG-21bis, with markings for two Croatian Air Force Fishbeds.
FINNS ON FOUR WHEELS
Suitable for Fiat 131 kits by Esci/Italeri or Fujimi, these striking markings from Decalcas allow modellers to depict an entrant in the Rallye de Portugal – Vino do Porto 1977.
FAR EASTERN INSIGNIA
Bright Spark’s limited edition single sheet is dedicated to all styles of Pakistani Air Force and Navy roundels and tail flashes since independence was gained in 1947.
NAVAL PRIMATE
Here’s another MILSPEC three-sheet package for a 1/72 F-4J Phantom, this time depicting a VF-33 ‘Tarsiers’ airframe (whose nickname referred to a fierce primate species). One sheet contains subject-specific serials/unit markings, including lightning-shaped embellishments for to the fuselage.
NORDIC LIASON
Perfect for any 1/72 Fieseler Fi 156 Storch offering, these Moose Republic decals provide options for 11 liveries applied to aircraft used by the Finnish, Swedish or Norwegian Air Forces.
STRIKING STALLIONS
While there’s no shortage of markings options for 1/72 P-51 Mustang models, this Kits-World selection is a set of four particularly eye-catching USAAF liveries for the thoroughbred fighter.
INTERIOR DISPLAYS
Airscale’s instrument decals are ideal for recreating the busy appearance of aircraft cockpit interiors without the need for fine detail painting, and this selection is perfect for any 1/32 model of modern jets.
CARTOON COMPANY
Star Decals has produced markings for 1/35 models depicting new M48A3 Patton tanks used by the US Army’s 69th Armored Regiment in Vietnam during January 1965, including ‘B’ Model versions with increased exhaust armour and a raised turret cupola.
CAPTURED BIRDS OF PREY
Brazilian firm LPS Hobby has produced another decal set for 1/72 Curtiss P-36 Hawks, this time depicting aircraft captured by German forces and transferred to Finland for service with the Scandinavian country’s air force.
"SHOOTING AT A PARACHUTE"
Perfect for any 1/32 offering, these Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 decals represent the aircraft of Franz Stigler, a German experten (ace) who escorted a damaged American B-17 to the European coast on December 20, 1943 when he noticed the crew were injured and defenceless.
CIVIL WAR TRIO
This triple-package of 1/72 aircraft markings from Blue Rider Decals covers an unusual set of subjects: Japanese-built machines operated by Communist forces during the Chinese Civil War following the end of World War Two.
MERLIN-POWERED SUPERMARINES
This tribute to 1/32 Spitfires from Fündekals features 12 schemes for Merlin-engined Mk.I, Vb, IXc and XVIe airframes, with a mix of aircraft flown by British, American, Australian and New Zealand pilots, including several notable aces.
IMPORTED FULCRUMS
The Polish Air Force has operated Mikoyan MiG-29s (NATO reporting name Fulcrum) since 1989.
CROATIAN ARMOUR
Modellers wanting unusual schemes for their MiniArt T-55s will find plenty of choice from Star’s Croatian Army selection.
AXIS GROUND-POUNDERS
Hungarian company SBS Model has released a collection of markings for 1/72 Focke-Wulf Fw 190F-8 ground-attack machines as operated by its homeland air force during World War Two.