Messerschmitt Bf 109 in Regia Aeronautica Service

Chris Busbridge Decals, 1/32 scales

Reviewed by Brett Green

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Do you have a closet full of Hasegawa 1/32 scale Bf 109 kits? Perhaps you are a big fan of German aircraft in Italian colours. Or are you just looking for something a little different to black crosses as markings for your large scale Freidrichs and Gustavs?

In any case, Chris Busbridge has a deal for you!

Chris Busbridge Decals has already released markings for 1/32 scale Macchi C.205s and 1/48 scale Fiat Cr.32 kits. The latest offering covers 14 Messerschmitt Bf 109 Fs and Gs in Regia Aeronautica livery.

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The Regia Aeronautica - the Italian Air Force - employed more than 40 Messerschmitt Bf 109 Fs and Gs in 1942 and 1943 prior to the Armistice. These were taken from Luftwaffe stocks. German national markings were simply overpainted in local colours with Italian markings painted over the top of these often large, contrasting patches. White theatre markings were usually seen on these aircraft too.

Sky Model Decals released a sheet of 1/32 scale Bf 109 markings some years ago, but they have since been shown to be inaccurate in some respects. Chris Busbridge Decals' new set addresses these areas and offers the largest range of RA markings for Messerschmitt Bf 109s that we have seen to date.

Fourteen Bf 109s are covered. These comprise two Bf 109 F-4s, one G-2, one G-4 and ten G-6s. The original camouflage of the aircraft are either desert shades of RLM 78 and 79 Tan and Blue, or (the majority) RLM 74, 75, 76 greys.

Instructions are offered on three folded A4 sheets. One side profile of each subject is included, along with a text description of the unit and camouflage details. A single upper surface view is also provided, showing typical camouflage demarcation.

The decals are printed flawlessly by Fantasy Printshop of the UK. Registration and colour saturation appear to be perfect. Italian national markings plus limited stencil markings for one aircraft are also included. The large main decal sheet is supplemented by a small errata sheet with leaves for the Gigi Tre Osei badge.

Chris Busbridge Decals' 1/32 scale "Messerschmitt Bf 109 in Regia Aeronautica Service" is an attractive release that will deliver a different look for your 1/32 scale Bf 109 G, and is available in perfect time for Hasegawa's brand new 1/32 scale Bf 109 F-4 too!

Thanks to Chris Busbridge for the sample.

Review Text Copyright © 2010 by Brett Green
Page Created 17 June, 2010
Last updated 17 June, 2010

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