Decal reviews

Decal reviews

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'LAWN DART' LIVERIES

Several of the schemes depicted in Xtradecal’s 1/48 Lockheed F-104 Starfighter Collection Part Two are ‘upscaled’ versions of those included in its 1/72 version (see April 2020, p.89), but this also means the superb quality is retained.

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WEATHER-FORECASTING FORTRESSES

Kits-World has produced a pair of markings sheets allowing modellers to depict Boeing B-17F/G Flying Fortresses operated by the RAF as Fortress Mk.II/IIIs for varied roles including Coastal Command, Meteorological Reconnaissance (MET) and Radio Countermeasures (RCM).

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FRESH-FACED JUMBO

Intended for 1/144 747-100/200 kits by Revell or Welsh Model, this three-sheet package from airliner specialist 26 Decals allows modellers to depict BOAC-liveried jumbo-jets, including the first airframe delivered to the airline: G-ANWA.

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DIVISIONS, DECISIONS

A broad array of divisional markings was applied to the German Wehrmacht’s Panzer units during World War Two, but these 1/35 decals from FC Modeltips (a sub-brand of FC Model Trend) contains a wide selection and a guide to when the symbols were used.

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ARDENNES SPECIAL

Fans of French aviation will definitely want Syhart’s latest 1/72 Mirage III markings in their collection.

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BOLD IDENTIFIERS

These re-released Xtradecal national insignia are ideal for replacing damaged or lost decals, or ensuring accurate and uniform tones, for 1/72 early-war RAF aircraft models, particularly Battle of Britain-era Spitfires and Hurricanes.

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BIRTHDAY BUMPER PACKAGE

This package is a slightly different release from Model Art Decal System as it focuses solely on RAF markings, rather than its usual Royal Navy/French subjects.

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EAST SUFFOLK MUSTANGS

Exito’s latest additions are for a trio of P-51D Mustangs based in East Suffolk at RAF Leiston (also known as Yoxford), all assigned to the 357th Fighter Group.

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WORLD-DEPLOYED WIDOWMAKERS

Xtradecal’s first collection of 1/48 scale markings for Lockheed F-104 Starfighters includes options for seven operators, providing national insignia, airframe serials and further embellishments (but no stencilling) for airframes operated between 1964-96.

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FROM LAND AND SHIP

Whenever DK Decals tackles a subject, it always ensures that modellers have plenty of options to choose from.

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WELL-TRAVELLED OFF-ROADERS

Modellers with ACE, Armo or Gran Ltd 1/72 GAZ-69 kits can depict the Soviet-designed light truck in Polish service, courtesy of this decal package from ToRo Model.

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SPOTTED HUNTER

ToRo’s great value for money sheet offers markings for Leopard 2A4 and 2A5 tanks operated by the Polish Army, which are ideal for modellers with kits by Revell, Italeri, Hobby Boss or Tamiya.

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Marines' Diesels

Modellers can depict early-model M48A3 Patton tanks as deployed during the Vietnam War thanks to this collection of 1/35 markings from Star Decals.

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Staff 'Schmitts

This is the first large-scale collection Xtradecal has devoted to Messerschmitt Bf 109s operated by Stab (staff) or headquarters units of the German Luftwaffe during World War Two.

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Soviet Single-Seaters

Ukrainian firm Foxbot Decals has released a comprehensive collection of markings for 14 Lavochkin La-5FN fighters, as operated by Soviet forces during World War Two.

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Flying Feline

NATO’s Tiger Association units often paint their aircraft in special schemes for the group’s ‘Tiger Meet’ events, and this DXM Decals sheet provides markings to represent a French Air Force Dassault Mirage 2000D at the 2010 gathering.

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Razorback Ponies

Kits-World’s ‘Little Friends’ compilation features four P-51B Mustangs of the 8th Air Force and would be suitable for kit offerings from AZ Model, Academy, Hasegawa, KP, MisterCraft and Revell.

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Away from home

ToRo Model specialises in representing its homeland’s military, and these markings for Polish Army machines on overseas deployments fit this niche.

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Cannon-Toting Gustavs

Polish decal specialist Exito has released the first collection in a series dedicated to Wiener Neustädter Flugzeugwerke-built Bf 109G-10s, with three examples of the engine-mounted 30mm cannon-equipped U4 sub-variant.

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Bright-Tailed Herc'

The second set in Xtradecal’s celebration of specially marked C-130s features 47 Squadron’s stunning 100th anniversary paintwork, with its striking red/yellow/blue tail and rear fuselage, with the black/yellow fuselage cheat line.

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African Tail

Modellers wanting a different scheme for their Boeing 747-400s should consider this beautiful V1 Decals offering, which depicts British Airways’ G-BNLO in the striking tail livery created by Ndebele artist Emmly Masanabo, with its bold geometric shapes in blue, yellow, red and green.

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Desert Shark Mouths

​​​​​​​DK Decals’ P-40 series continues with this splendid offering that covers 16 Kittyhawk Mk.I and MK.III airframes, all clad in standard Mid Stone/Dark Earth/Azure Blue camouflage.

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Devilish Celebration

In 1976, many American military aircraft were painted in special schemes to celebrate the bicentennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence by the United States.

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Speedy Zippers

Xtradecal’s second collection of 1/72 F-104 Starfighters contains markings for 13 machines operated by various air forces from the 1960s-80s, including Turkey, Japan and Denmark, plus an example flown by NASA.

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Overseas Regalia

Following its superb new-tool 1/32 Gloster Gladiator, ICM has released this set of markings to allow modellers to portray fighters operated by Norwegian, Belgian, Chinese or Greek Air Forces with the Mk.I iteration of the kit.

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Polish Projectiles

The first volume of ToRo Model’s 1/72 decals for Polish Army rocket artillery machines contains markings for 11 different vehicles used by the force between 1970 and 2016.

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Disqualified Racer

Revell’s 1/24 Ford GT Le Mans 2017 endurance racing car is the intended recipient of these Decalpool markings.

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Factory-applied data

This comprehensive pack from H-Model Decals provides modellers with stencil markings to apply to 1/48 Messerschmitt Bf 109F-2s, F-4s and all G-variants from G-1 through G-6.

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Legendary Island Traveller

Modellers can combine this Arctic Decals set with Sword’s 1/72 Sikorsky S-43/JRS-1 or subsequent re-boxings by Special Hobby and Eduard to produce a civilian Baby Clipper operated by the short-lived Avalon Air Transport airline in the late 1950s and early 1960s.