|
S u m m a r y |
| Catalogue Number and
Description: |
Southern Expo No. 72-001 / 48-001 Hornchurch v Luftwaffe |
| Scale: |
1/72 (also available in 1/48 scale) |
| Contents and Media: |
1 decal sheet 200mm X 127mm with markings for 11 aircraft plus 4 double sided A4 sized instruction sheets in colour, all in a zip-lock bag. |
| Price: |
Available online from selected retailers including:
Freightdog Models from £7.95 plus shipping |
| Review Type: |
FirstLook |
| Advantages: |
Interesting and appropriate subjects, some new research turning up some new facts, colour recommendations for Humbrol, Xtracolour and Xtracrylic paints. |
| Disadvantages: |
Some of the artwork is a little dark. |
| Recommendation: |
Reminiscent of Airfix's “Dog-fight Doubles”, this decal sheet gives markings for RAF aircraft operating out of Hornchurch during the BOB and their Luftwaffe opponents. |
Reviewed by Glen Porter
HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Squadron.com
As 2010 is the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, the organizers of the Southern Expo decided to produce a decal sheet to commemorate it and because the show is held at Hornchurch, what better subject than the RAF fighters that operated out of that base and their opposition. I might also add, that the proceeds will help St. Francis Hospice, the Show's chosen local charity.
The Decals
Printed by Microscale in the USA, the decals are beyond reproach with perfect register, good colour density and minimum carrier film.
There are seven Mk. IA Spitfires, four from 54 Squadron, two from 603 and one from 74 Squadron.
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Those from 54 Squadron were all flown by Pilot Officer Al Deere including Kiwis I, II and III. They are all in the standard upper colours with lower one varying depending on the date.
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The 74 Squadron example, a Mk.I serialed K9953, ZP-O, was flown by Flt. Lt. Adolf “Sailor” Malan, 19 June 1940 with Dark Green/Dark Earth uppers and Sky Blue below.
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The first of the 603 Squadron Mk. Is, R6835, XT-W was flown by Flt. Off. Brian Carbury 31st of August 1940. Same upper colours as above with Eu-de-Nil below.
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The last of the RAF aircraft is 603 Squadron Mk. I, R6626, XT-Y flown by Flt. Off. “Ras” Berry on the 31st of August 1940.
 There are four Luftwaffe aircraft, three BF 109Es and a Heinkel He. 111, all shot down by the above RAF pilots while raiding the base at Hornchurch.
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The first is a 109E-1, 'Yellow 12', W No. 37712 flown by Fw. Ernst Arnold of 3/JG27, based in France, August 1940.
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Next is 109E-3 'White 2', W No. 1160 flown by Ofw. Johann Illner of 4/JG51, 31 August 1940.
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BF 109E-4, 'yellow 4', W No. 1082, completes the trio of Messerschmitts, flown by Oblt. Helmut Rau, Staffelkapitan of 3/JG3, August 1940.
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The Heinkel is an H-4, 5J+GA, W No. 2894, flown by Lt. Erich Simon of KG4, 18th June 1940.
The decals are above reproach as you would expect from Microscale and the instructions are also very good with four views of each aircraft being shown in computer generated style and the colours called out for Humbrol, Xtracolour and Xtracrylic paints.
My one criticism of this complete set is the colours RLM 70 and 71 are almost black in anything but the brightest light. This is something I've noticed from other decal makers from the UK which leads me to believe these instructions were printed by the same people.
With a plethora of Spitfire Mk Is either on the market already or about to be released, excellent 109Es from Tamiya and ICM plus more coming and Hasagawa's gorgeous He 111 in this scale, what more could you ask for?
Thanks to Southern Expo for the review samples
Review Copyright © 2010 by Glen Porter
Page Created 19 April, 2010
Last updated
19 April, 2010
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