Decals

Twobobs has released a sheet in 1/48 scale for those of us who like colorful aircraft, something that will relieve that expanse of grey on grey in the display case.  The aircraft catered for on this sheet are two F-16A Midlife Update (MLU) aircraft at Skrydstrup AB of the Royal Danish Air Force.  They were painted in special markings to celebrate the anniversaries of the activation of their squadrons.

The first, F-16AM Block 10 MLU, 78-0194, commemorates the 60th Anniversary of ESK 727 on 18 June 2010.  It has an all orange-red tail fin and fairing with a white cross and a golden lion and golden script showing 1950 and 2010 for either side of the tail.

Decals

The decals are silk screen printed, waterslide, and look stunning. Depth of colors, registration, and definition appear perfect. The carrier film is minimal and follows the outline of the national markings, letters, and aircraft serial numbers. There should be no need to use the kit decals with this set, as all the markings and stencils and included. There are only enough stencils to finish one model, though.

Instructions

Eight A4 double-sided pages make up the instructions. The instructions have the true depth of reference material that can be preserved in the modeler’s library once the kit is finished and decals applied.

Information contained within the instructions/reference pages include:

• Coastal Command Beaufighter TF.X schemes, colors and finishes.
• Allied Expeditionary Air Force Identification stripes [Invasion Stripes].
• Profile Illustrations.

Set 48-233.  Colorful markings from the first air show of the 2009 season of the J-10 Chinese Demo Team.  There are markings for both the single- and two-seat variants of the J-10.  There are enough options on this sheet to build 1 each of any of the jets from the 2009 air show season.

Two sheets of decals are included in this set.  Markings include national insignia, Demo Team logo, aircraft numbers, stunning tail markings, and various red and white scallops.

Decals are sized for both the Bronco and Trumpeter 1/48th scale kits.

Set 48-234.  More colorful markings from the first air show of the 2010/2011 season of the J-10 Chinese Demo Team. There are markings for both the single- and two-seat variants of the J-10.  There are enough options on this sheet to build 1 each of any of the jets from the 2010/2011 air show season.

These decals are first-rate from several perspectives.

First of all, they’re very well researched, and Kagero seems to have gone out of their way to do subjects which aren’t common among decal makers.

Second, the instructions are head and shoulders above anything I’ve seen as far as color instructions, decal placement instructions, and decal application instructions.

Third, the decals are by Cartograf of Italy, and they are the industry standard for color, registration and ease of application.

First, the subjects:

Lifelike Decals has long been known for their high quality, limited edition decal releases. The decals come in the customary clear plastic zip bag, and inside you will find two full color, single sided pages with color callouts, decal placement guides, references, and a ton of historical information on each aircraft covered. Not to mention the decals themselves. This release contains one standard size decal sheet with markings for four WWII Imperial Japanese Army Ki-44 Shoki “Tojo” fighters, as well as a smaller sheet with the kill markings, and a small “correction” sheet for kill markings. Decals are printed by Cartograf of Italy, and are clear and in perfect register.

Lifelike Decals has long been known for their high quality, limited edition decal releases. The decals come in the customary clear plastic zip bag, and inside you will find two full color, single sided pages with color callouts, decal placement guides, references, and a ton of historical information on each aircraft covered. Not to mention the decals themselves. This release contains one standard size decal sheet with markings for four WWII Imperial Japanese Army Ki-44 Shoki “Tojo” fighters. Decals are printed by Cartograf of Italy, and are clear and in perfect register.

**Just a note to the buyer – when you’re doing a search to purchase these, you may see some decals labeled for the “Japanese Edition” and some for the “English Edition”. The difference here is the language on the instructions. If you don’t read Japanese and are interested in getting the wealth of historical data written about each aircraft – be sure to look for the English one!

What’s in the Bag?

The presentation of every Afterburner decal I’ve ever seen is very eye-catching, and this one is no exception.  The cover sheet has left-side profiles of the 8 aircraft represented in the package, along with a color print of the squadron patch of each aircraft.  Flip the baggie over and you’re presented with a very colorful 8” x 10” decal sheet full of markings and stencils.  Stick your meaty paws inside the baggie and it gets better.  In addition to the 8” x 10” decal sheet, there is a 5” x 8” sheet with further markings and stencils, mostly black, white, and brown.  All decals, printed by Cartograph, appear to be in register, shiny, sharply printed, and with excellent color saturation.  They do, however, feel thicker than your typical aftermarket sheet; we’ll find out more about that when I put them on a model.  Also in the bag are four 8 ½” x 11” sheets of paper, printed on both sides, giving you stencil placement and left and right color profiles of every aircraft offered, along with scrap views of the inner vertical fins and upper wings, where appropriate.

This is the second Lifelike Decals release for Tamiya’s new 1/32nd scale P-51, and it also gives two markings for the Revell 1/32nd scale P-51B.  Maybe Tamiya will give us a gift sometime soon of a new P-51B, too.  The selections are:

Tamiya’s new 1/32nd scale P-51 has created a surge of new decals for that subject, and Lifelike Decals have done their part, as well.  This sheet provides markings for four colorful Mustangs, three from the European Theater and one from the Pacific Theater:

Kagero’s limited edition (Red Series) 1/32 scale Pacific P-51D/F-6D Mustang decals is welcome news for large-scale Mustang fans. This is part #1 of what I assume will be a continuing series of beautiful sheets offered by them. Evidently, this sheet is sized to fit the Tamiya kit, but it’s not mentioned in the documents. The decals were printed by Cartograph and are crystal clear and look outstanding. Because of my slow progress building my own Mustang, I didn’t try to apply them. I didn’t think applying decals on bare plastic would really be very effective, although it did seem to work when I was 6. Anyway, the 8 page color documents are first rate. The artwork shows large, color profiles of both sides of the fuselage and the top and bottom of the wings. Also included is a brief history of each aircraft, accompanied by sketches of the pilots.

P-51D-25-NA 44-72671 flown by Lt. William Saks, 457th FS, and 506th FG based at North Field, Iwo Jima June 1945. “The Enchantress”

P-51D-25-NA 44-72570 flown by Lt. Ralph S. Gardner and 2nd Lt. Chester Jatczak, 457th FS, 506th FG based at North Field, Iwo Jima June 1945. “Fighting Lady”