Sukhoi Su-27 Decals

Propagteam, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Steven Eisenman

HyperScale is proudly supported by Squadron.com

It has been a long time since I have used Propagteam decals, and also cursed them.  So it was with a bit of trepidation that I undertook this review.

I remember the old Propagteam decals as taking forever to come off the backing, locking on to the surface so that they couldn’t be positioned, even with solution, and being quite resistant to settling into the nooks and crannies of the model.

Well I can report that two and a half of the old problems are no longer problems.  In water at room temperature, the decal took somewhat longer to come off its backing than decals from other companies, such as Microscale or Cartograph.  But not as long as I remember.

On the positive side, by applying Micro Set (Blue Bottle) to the surface, I was able to move them easily into position after they came off the paper backing.  When I squeezed out the excess solution by rolling a cotton bud (“Q-Tip”) across the surface, the decal conformed nicely to uneven surface of my test plastic.  I applied Micro Sol (Red Bottle), which seemed to increase the conformity of the decal only slightly. The decal did not adversely react to the Micro Sol.

It should be noted that the clear carrier film on the decal edge is not nearly as thick or distinct as in the macro-image.  It will surely disappear under a coat of whatever final clear coat you use.

The painting and marking guide is a bit primitive by today’s standards.  The aircraft are shown in a gray scale and it is difficult to tell the difference between a light gray and white.  The only color drawings are quite small and poorly done.

All colors are designated by name with the FS approximation.

Markings:

Russian Knights Aerobatic Group – This scheme appears to be the original scheme used prior to 1994.  For this aircraft it is virtually impossible to distinguish between White and the Light Gray Blue on the painting guide.  Based on what I have found, the aircraft is white forward of the wing, the underside, the vertical surfaces of the fins and the sides below the wings.  The broad top surface of the wing and tail-planes is Light Gray Blue (FS 35550), Gray Blue (FS 35190) and Dark Blue Gray (FS 35177).  While the decal for the blue chevron with red and white fine striping at the front of the wing is provided, you will need to paint the red chevron band behind it as well as the leading edges of the tail-planes.

I have come across some references which seem to indicate that the sides and underside my not have been white, but rather a light and bright underside blue.  Also, the inside of the vertical fin may be a Light Gray Blue. Please check your reference.

Russian Air Force, Sevastleyka.  This aircraft is in an overall base color of Light Gray Blue (FS 35526) with a disruptive camouflage on the top of Light Gray Blue (FS 35550) and Gray Blue (FS 35488)

Ukrainian Air Force, Air Base Zhitomir.  This aircraft is painted in the same scheme as the Russian Air Force Su-27.

It is clear that Propagteam decals have come a long way.  Apart from the somewhat confusing marking guide for the Russian Knight, these appear to be very good and colorful markings for the Academy Su 27 Flanker.

The Su-27 Propagteam “Marking Collection” decals, and other “Marking” Collection decals are available from UMM-USA.

Thanks to John Vojtech of UMM-USA for the review sample.

Text and Images Copyright © 2009 by Steven Eisenman
This Page Created on 22 June, 2009
Last updated 22 June, 2009

Back to HyperScale Main Page