Eagle Editions 1:32 Spitfire Mk.IX Decals

(Also Available in 1:48 and 1:72)

Product Code: EC114, 115, 116

Reviewed by Jay Laverty

June 2008

 When you think of Luftwaffe, you will probably think of Eagle Editions before too long. Having established a name that is synonymous with quality research Jerry and Judy Crandall have led the way in dispelling the myths and inaccurate assumptions that surround the often murky waters that surround Luftwaffe modelling.


Knowing the amount of research that is applied to any Eagle Editions release (Jerry Crandall’s dedication to historical accuracy is obvious in every book he produces) it is with great confidence that I would use decals produced by Eagle Editions regardless of the subject matter. Spitfires have always proven to be a perennial favourite for modellers, and with the release of the much anticipated Pacific Coast Models 1:32nd Spitfire Mk.IX, I was very glad to see these decals released by Eagle Editions. And doubly glad to see several RCAF aircraft amongst the choices!


EC 114 comprises 3 aircraft selections each distinctly different from the other. 1st is KH-B flown by RCAF ace George "Buzz" Beurling, 2nd is WD-W flown by 1st LT Leonard Helton of the 52nd FG USAF, and last is Aussie pilot F/O J. Boulton flying FU-N.
EC115 also boasts three uniquely different schemes with two RCAF pilots' airframes this time around. 1st is YO-R flown by T.K. Ibbotson RCAF, next is 2I-E flown by S/L Wally McLeod RCAF, and the lone RAF airframe on all three sheets is ZX-1 flown by several different pilots.
EC116 is a strictly Canadian affair with all three options being RCAF airframes. 1st up is AE-W flown by Lorne M.Cameron, next is GC-K flown by Wing Commander George Keefer, and last is AE-B flown by Ian Keltie.


As per usual the decals are printed to perfection by Microscale, all in exact register and with excellent colour retention. Eagle Cals have always been very easy to use personally, and I have yet to have a bad experience using them in my years of modelling.
Personally I would rate these releases very highly for a variety of reasons. Aside from the fact that they are printed with the highest quality standards by a company with a long standing reputation for perfection, they also benefit from a pedigree of historical accuracy that is second to none.


For these reasons I highly recommended these decals to anyone with any Spitfire Mk.IX's in any scale!


1:72nd Scale Price: $10.50 (approx. € 6.85 / £ 5.39)
1:48th Scale Price: $12.50 (approx. € 8.15 / £ 6.42)
1:32nd Scale Price: $15.00 (approx. € 9.78 / £ 7.69)

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 Zots 32010

Zots 32011

Zots Decals

P-47 Razorbacks in1:32nd scale

32010 & 32011

Review by

Jay Laverty

 

Zots decals have established a reputation for doing some very interesting and often unusual markings options for a wide variety of aircraft and with these latest two releases they provide some colourful options for the recently released P-47 Razorback from Trumpeter.

32010 covers two aircraft that served in the Pacific Theatre of Operations in WWII, one bare metal and one in Olive Drab. The first, "Bonnie" flown by Maj. Bill Dunham of the 460th Fighter Squadron / 348th Fighter Group operated out of Leyte in the Phillipines, is the bare metal option and will prove to be a very colourful option with the red dtriped tail and black ID striped on the wings.

The second "Miss Mutt" is an Olive Drab scheme, adorned with colourful "poin-up" nose art and the nick-name "Pride of Ohio" Having a white tail this will also prove to be an interesting scheme.

  

32011 shifts to the European Theatre of Operations and offers two overall Olive Drab options, both with colourful "pin-up" nose art. The first is "Rozzie Geth/ Boche Buster" a P-47D-10 flown by Lt. Fred Christensen of the 62nd Fighter Squadron / 56th Fighter Group operating out of Halesworth UK in March of 1944.

 The second option is "In the Mood / Jackson County, Michigan Fighter"  flown by Capt. Gerald Johnson of the 61st Fighter Squadron / 56th Fighter Group operating out of Halesworth UK in October of 1943.

 While these options are slightly less colourful than those on 32010, they more than compensate for it in saucy nose-art, that you may want to keep out of sight of the younger modellers!

 All of the silk screened decals are in perfect register, and the colour is superbly reproduced, even if my slowly dying scanner does not do them justice. The photographic reproduction of the nose art is immaculate, and there is no pixellation to be found anywhere, which will make them look painted on when they are applied.

 If you have ever used Zots decals previously you will be well aware of the fact that they are of the highest quality and rank alongside the best decal producers in the hobby. For this reason, and the fact that all of the options provided on both 32010 and 32011 I highly recommend both of these sheets, even if it means buying another P-47 if you are torn on which scheme to do...

 

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