Mediterranean Twins
Beaufighter, Baltimore, Boston, Marauder and Wellington Mk. II

Xtradecal,1/72 scale

Reviewed by Glen Porter

Background

For those who don't know, Xtradecal is the “in house” trade name for Hannant's line of decals along with Xtrakit (plastic kits) and Xtracolor/Xtracrylic (model paints). They can be had by visiting the two shops in the UK or on line at www.hannants.com.uk

The Decals

Interestingly, all of the aircraft on this sheet ( except the Beau Mk If perhaps) have been recently released by Hasagawa, MPM and Trumpeter in 1/72nd scale and are by all accounts very good models so there is no excuse for not buying this set.

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Okay, here are some more details of the aircraft involved.

First of all, Beaufighter Mk.X, NV115/D, “Pamalamay”of “A” flight, No. 16 Sqn., SAAF, Italy 1945. It's in CC colours of Extra Dark Sea Grey/Dark Slate Grey over Sky. A white letter “D” to the rear of the fuselage roundel, “Pamalamay” in white on the starboard side nose and a white mission score on the port side.

Next is Beaufighter Mk.If, X7760/Y, 46 Sqn., RAF, North Africa 1942. This one's in desert cammo., Dark Earth/ Mid Stone over Azure with the letter “Y” ahead of the fuselage roundel.

Then we have Martin Baltimore Mk. IIIA, FA353/X, 203 Sqn., RAF, Malta 1943. Another CC scheme but this time XDSG/DSG over White with the high demarcation. The letter “X” is to the rear of the fuselage roundel.

Boston Mk. IV, BZ631/P, “Jacqueline Anne”, 13Sqn., RAF, North Africa and Italy 1944. In its original US colours of Olive Drab over Neutral Grey, a red “P” aft of the roundel, nose art on the port nose and a red and yellow pennant half way up the fin.

Vickers Wellington Mk. X, HE687 or HE515/QB-T, “Terror of Axis Nightlife”, 424 (Canadian) Sqn., RAF, North Africa 1943. In a desert scheme of Dark Earth/Mid Stone over Night with Sqn code behind the roundel and aircraft letter “T” ahead on both sides plus nose art on the port side.

A Martin Marauder Mk. II, FB484/V, Viking from No. 12 Sqn., SAAF, Italy 1944-45. In OD/NG with a yellow letter V on the fin above the flash, nose art including the word Viking on either side of the nose and a yellow mission score below the canopy port side only.

Last of all, Marauder Mk. III, HD625/R, 39 Sqn., RAF, Balkan Air Force, Italy 1944-45. Also in OD/NG, a yellow letter “R” ahead of the roundel, another smaller one on either side of the nose, white wings on the cockpit armour plate and a yellow mission score port side below the canopy.

None of the aircraft have lower wing roundels except the SAAF Beau Mk. X and they are provisional. All colours are marked with their official names and a complete list of Xtracolour/Xtracrylic paints are given with their part numbers.

This is another gorgeous decal sheet from Xtradecal with only a small register problem that could be easily got around or simply ignored.

Thanks to Hannants for the review sample

Xtradecals are available online from Hannants' website

Review Text Copyright © 2009 by Glen Porter
This Page Created on 17 February, 2010
Last updated 17 February, 2010

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