With the retirement of Americal-Gryphon, the World War I modelling fraternity has been on the look out for a new source of aircraft decals.

Orion Miniatures are offering to fill this void with a new range of products. The first release is a sheet of “lozenge camouflage” which is directed at the Staaken bomber. This German behemoth has been kitted by Roden recently and in earlier days as a vacform by Contrail.

The decal represents 1/72 scale and approximately six of the 6” x 9” sheets would be necessary to cover an airframe. It replicates the painted 5 colour night scheme that was seen on some of these aircraft and as such is provided in a continuous pattern.

The colours have been toned down to depict “scale colour” and are matched to Methuen colour references published in many of the leading publications on the subject.

Each lozenge has been outlined in a constantly dark colour which one is unlikely to have seen on the original painted surface. Nonetheless, it does help to define the shapes and does not detract too much from the overall effect. It should be pointed out however, that a similar trait can be seen on printed fabric where the edges of the different colours overlap to cause the outline shown.

The colours are very well printed with no bleeding or registration issues. The carrier film is extremely thin but despite this the decal is quite strong. Adhesion is very good and the application of a decal softener, although recommended, is not essential.

So if you feel the need to replace the kit decals on your favourite bomber, you now have a viable alternate. The quality of the package is first class and it’s only the beginning of a range that is much needed in the “string-bag” community.

Highly Recommended

Thanks to Orion Miniatures for the review sample

Text and Images Copyright © 2008 by Rob Baumgartner
Page Created 26 June, 2008
Last updated 26 June, 2008

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