Antonov An-26 Curl
Anniversary Marking

ODecals, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Mark Davies

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I like it when special markings are applied to transport aircraft as they otherwise so often wear drab run of the mill paint schemes. The review decals represent an anniversary scheme first worn in 2008 by an An-26 of the Czech Air Force; the scheme celebrates 90 years of flying from the Prague-Lbely Air Base. The same aircraft had markings on engines added to this scheme when it attended an air show at Waddington in the UK during July 2009. The decal set includes these extra engine markings as an option.

The decals come packaged in a close-fitting and sealed cellophane bag. This is hard to cut open because its sealed edges are so close to the contents, and once opened there is the risk that the decals will fall out. Whatever Kopro saves in cost over the more typical zip-lock polythene bags used for decals is not worth it in my view. I find that the cellophane kind annoying to use.

Inside the bag is a single A-4 page paint and markings guide and the decal sheet. Printed in colour, the instructions have a three-view placement guide that is clear and easy to follow. The Paint colours are in English and Czech; and they are cross-referenced to Humbrol, Agama and FS.595.

The decals have good registration and colour density looks good too. It could have been helpful to include the red and blue portions of the background to the starboard engine NATO motif, but it does not matter much that one is not provided.

These are good quality decals with simple and clear instructions. I think that the choice of scheme is an interesting and attractive one (I now wish that I had not disposed of my A Model An-26 kit!). The use of tight-fitting cellophane bags may help reduce cost, but I regard them to be frustrating to use. I hope that Kopro considers changing to the zip-lock polythene bags that most decal makers use. Despite this, I recommend these decals.

Take time to check Kopro’s large range of decals; the number of interesting and useful subjects they cover surprised me.

Thanks to hobbyshop.cz for the review sample.

Review Text & Blue Background Images Copyright © 2012 by Mark Davies
Page Created 23 August, 2012
Last updated 10 September, 2012

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