Swedish Air Force Exercise Markings 1968 squares for Draken and other aircraft

Swedish Air Force Unit Badges/Emblems/Exercise Markings for the Draken

Euro Decals, 1/72 & 1/48 scales

Reviewed by Andrew Steinbeck

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Euro Decals have produced two decal sheets catering primarily for Swedish Air Force Drakens in both 1/72 (reviewed here) and 1/48 scales.  They depict emblems, numbers and symbols applied to the Draken (and other aircraft such as the SAAB 32 Lansen) throughout its service and in the variety of schemes worn over that time.

Sheet ED-72/48110 offers the modeller patterns of dayglo squares in both fluorescent red and yellow to represent the markings applied to Drakens, Lansens and Pembroke aircraft from the late 1960s and frequently seen well into the 1970s. They were commonly applied to the tail, fuselage or wing surfaces and are definitely something I associate with pictures of Swedish Drakens in their blue/green camouflage. A small addition to the sheet is the inclusion of tiny unit emblems in dayglo yellow applicable to Drakens of the display team between 1971 and 78 and later J35F or J35J Drakens from F10 Wing.

Sheet ED-72/48111 is even more comprehensive, offering aircraft code and wing numbers as used on Swedish Drakens. Also provided are white geometric shapes (solid circles, squared-‘U’ and semi-circle shapes) applied as exercise markings during the ‘70s. Finally, tiny unit insignia in white are also included. The numerals are provided in three colours, white and dayglo yellow and red and a variety of sizes. This will enable the modeller to build any Swedish Draken of his/her choice in either the original blue/green or later grey camouflage schemes. The different sizes cater for placement in the three typical locations of upper wings, tail and forward fuselage.

Both decal sheets are very crisply printed on thin carrier film and the contents are offered in sufficient quantity to complete at least one aircraft. The instructions show considerable detail and extensive research; close study will reward the modeller with an extremely accurate model, right down to the correct version of canopy, long or short tail cone and specific timeframe for a particular aircraft.

My only reservation with these decals is the colour printed on both sheets as the fluorescent yellow. The review sample is actually a vivid fluorescent green (in the style of hi-visibility vests) rather than a yellow; both the Fantasy Printshop website image of the decals and reference photos of the period agree that what should have been printed is a strong yellow which matches the yellow of the national insignia. That concern aside, these are excellent decals which will permit the modelling of virtually any Swedish Draken from any period of its long service.

Euro Decals have produced an important and much-needed pair of accessory decals for Swedish Drakens.

Recommended.

Thanks to Euro Decals for the review sample

Euro Decals are available online via Fanstasy Printshop's website

Review Copyright © 2010 by Andrew Steinbeck
Page Created 7 May, 2010
Last updated 7 May, 2010

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