Mark 1 Ltd Dozen Set
Lockheed T-33 Thunderbird

SAAB JAS39 Gripen

Colours & Markings

Reviewed by Ken Bowes

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Mark 1 Ltd is a spinoff of the prolific 4plus Publications which has long produced very useful reference books of both mainstream and more esoteric subjects for modellers. In the Mark 1 series they have decided to provide a combination decal sheet and reference book giving a modeler a one stop shop if they wish to model the subjects provided. Earlier this year I purchased my first set, covering the L-29 Delfin as it included a rather obscure AURI (Indonesian Air Force) option that went with my close interest in that service (helped no doubt by an exchange posting with the TNI-AU). Since that time I had also developed the desire to build a Thai Air Force JAS39C/D Gripen and have been pleased to see that yet again Mark I has come to the rescue with an option on their latest sheet. Enough of that though, the following is what is covered by this two new sets. Called dozen sets, it should surprise no one that twelve options are included with each book.

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Thumbnail panels:

MKD48008, the T-33 book, provides two USAF, one US Navy, one USMC, two Canadian, one Japanese, one Luftwaffe, one Dutch, one Belgian, one French and one Spainish subject (sadly no TNI-AU option though).

MKD48012, the Gripen book, provides five Swedish jets, including test jets and colourful airshow mountsh, three Czech jets including striking Tiger Squadron colour jets, two Hungarian jets, one South African and finally the RTAF option. This is a JAS39D but a small play with serials will give you a JAS39C and a combination of Swedish roundels and Thai squadron markings will yield the 22 Feb 2011 delivery scheme when the first six jets arrived in Thailand.

Each Mark 1 book includes at least one photograph of each subject (usually more) accompanied by full colour four view drawings and text to describe the history of the subject and details of the relevant scheme. There are also a large number of close-up detail photographs which are of immense assistance to the modeler. Airframe differences and modifications along with stores and operational variations are all noted and backed up with clear detailed photographs. The final pages also include a mini-walk around concentrating on such useful areas as cockpit interiors and wheel wells. With approximately 28 pages in each book Mark 1 have gone all out to give the modeler everything they could want to use their decal sheets.

What of the sheets themselves. They are printed by Carograf of Italy (who are probably the preeminent decal printers these days) and are of extraordinary high quality. The complex artwork, especially on the Gripen sheet, may have resulted in relatively high prices (the Delfin sheet was almost $40 in Australia) however it is well worth the investment.

I have been impressed by these Mark 1 sheets and, bias aside for being the first to market with some of my most wanted subjects, I am very much looking forward to future sets and to using these on one of my Italeri Gripens in the near future.

Thanks to Mark 1 Ltd for this review sample.

Review Copyright © 2011 by Ken Bowes
This Page Created on 8 June, 2011
Last updated 9 June, 2011

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