Reviewed by Glen Porter

Yellow Wings Decals are available online from Squadron

Yellow-Wing Decals is a relatively new decal Manufacturer specializing in markings for US aircraft from the between the wars era. On occasion, they also produce special sheets up to 1945.

Printing is done by Microscale so their quality is, as we know, assured

.

Every reputable decal manufacturer has, at one time or another, given us sheets of national insignia, whether they be WW I, WW II, Cold War or current and for almost every country.

These sheets are usually just a page full of crosses, roundels or stars of various sizes and styles which are very handy for the spares box or for that special project where you don't have the relevant decals.

These sheets from Yellow-Wings Decals are different. As well as the “How to use” info supplied by most manufacturers, they also give you comprehensive instructions on the time period, why they were changed / if they were changed, where they were used and in some cases which size was used on what aircraft.

In the case of sheet number 72-032, “Wake Island Wildcats”, this is one of those special sheets on specific aircraft mentioned above. It covers the twelve Wildcats of USMC VMF-211 sent to Wake Island on board USS Enterprise on the 28th of November 1941. It includes enough markings for all twelve aircraft with National Insignia, fuselage side codes, serial numbers and service ID, model designations and cowl numbers. These are all of the appropriate size and colour and a graphic sheet shows you where they are placed.

No USMC VMF-211 Squadron badges are supplied but this may be because the aircraft may not have worn them. However, this is not explained in the instructions.

Colour notes give you information on camouflage schemes, colours and when changes were made. There is a complete list of Official US Navy and Marine Corps Colors and their model paint equivalents.

Other lists give the names and rank of all the pilots involved, their decorations plus the dates of the loss of all the F4F-3s on Wake Island including one capture on the island.

The Hasagawa 1/72 scale F4F-3 Wildcat along with the Quickboost wing conversion is recommended for use with these decals.  

Yellow-Wings Decals really is one to watch. Not only do we get Microscale quality but more background information than most modellers could ever wish for.

For anyone interested in US Between the Wars Aircraft, they don't come any better than this.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Yellow Wings Decals for the review sample.

Review Copyright © 2008 by Glen Porter
This Page Created on 26 March, 2008
Last updated 26 March, 2008

Back to HyperScale Main Page

Back to Reviews Page