Lockheed Hudson
in RNZAF Service

DK Decals, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Mark Davies

Xtradecal's 1/72 scale Junkers Ju 87 B/K/R Stuka decals
are available online from Squadron.com

The Hudson was widely operated by a number of Allied air forces, including the RNZAF. This is a most welcome set providing no less than sixteen quite varied and interesting options.

I know that DK Decals used a number of global contacts to assist in the research of this and several other recent RAAF & RNZAF releases. DK Decals acknowledges the assistance of Ed Russell of Red Roo Models and Nathan (Barf) Bosher in this set’s case.

The Decals

The decals are supplied in the ubiquitous A-5 zip-lock plastic bag, although the packaging method is more unusual in that the single A-4 page of instructions are folded in three to enclose three decals sheets and their protective talcs.
The instructions are very nicely produced in colour on glossy paper, and clearly indicate markings placement. A brief note regarding the aircraft and its station location is listed in a separate box and keyed to each subject. Colour call outs are listed using RAF/RNZAF names as well as listing those that are DuPont equivalents.  All colours are further cross-referenced to the Humbrol and Agama paint ranges.

Each scheme is illustrated using a single side-profile view, and scheme No3 has a small note for a non-symmetrical marking application. These profile views are about as small as one would want them to get, but are fit for purpose; they can be improved by scanning an enlargement as I have done here.

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Thumbnail panels:

Plan views are much smaller, but include panel lines to aid correct placement of national insignia, and so again are adequate.

Some Hudsons had fin flashes displayed on both sides of each fin, whereas others had them only on the outboard sides. The instructions are unclear on this point, although the decal sheet numbering groups all fin flashes in sets of four, which implies both sides. I really feel that scrap views should have been included to make this point more clearly.

A note mentions that all camouflage patterns are a reconstruction of possible appearance. I take this to mean that the patterns apparent in reference photos has been extrapolated to correspond standard patterns, as only rarely will photos showing all sides of a particular subject be available.

Red Roo Models include a note with the sheets they sell giving  this advice concerning aluminium versus Sky-Gray undersides on early Hudsons:

There is some disagreement over the underside colours of early Hudsons. An Air Ministry document of 21 Nov 1939 called for ‘silver’ but some respectable authorities say it was in fact the Du Pont/Lockheed best effort at RAF Sky (called Du Pont 71-021 Sky Type S Gray or colloquially Sky Gray). WW2 colour and B&W pictures of Hudsons before delivery are indeterminate. The underside colour does not look shiny but could be dull Aluminium dope or a light grey colour. If you are confused don't worry - so is everyone else. Putting Hudson Underside Colours in your search engine will bring up useful links on Britmodeller and Hyperscale. Books by Ian Baker, David Vincent and Dana Bell all contain useful references and pictures. A suitable default may be to mix a little grey in your aluminium paint or a little aluminium in your grey to have a bit each way and make a perhaps realistic colour.

A further Red Roo matter concerning this sheet is that schemes Nos16 & 17 feature an airborne lifeboat, and there is small note to say that this can be sourced from Red Roo Models. This item is currently in development and is not yet listed on Red Roo’s site. These schemes also have a different pitot style due to carriage of the lifeboat, and the scheme illustrations include this detail.

The schemes covered by this set are listed in the scanned image below:

The decals are printed by BOA Agency appear to be of superb quality, with excellent registration, good colour density, and a gloss finish. I also suspect that they may be a little thicker than some Czech decals as it is possible to feel them raised from their backing paper. I am confident they are not too thick by any means, just that I suspect these will be less fragile and prone to folding over on themselves than some other Czech decal brands.

The decals come supplied on three separate sheets, and include sufficient national insignia for at least six schemes (using four fin-flashes per scheme); making a good excuse for Hudson group build with your mates.

1/48 Releases

Red Roo Models advises that DK Decals will release smaller sets of both the C-47 Dakota in RAAF/RNZAF Service (reviewed here) C-47 and a combined RNZAF / RAAF Hudson sheet in 1/48 scale (RAAF Hudsons reviewed here).

These are superbly well produced decals. They provide some interesting and attractive markings in ‘The One True Scale’ for Hudson and RNZAF fans alike. They also represent excellent value.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Red Roo Models for this sample.

Text and Images Copyright © 2016 by Mark Davies
This Page Created on 29 August, 2016
Last updated 2 September, 2016

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