Decals for the Wingnut Wings Pfalz D.IIIa

Pheon Models, 1/32 scale

Reviewed by James Fahey

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The Pfalz DIII must rate as one of the most elegant aircraft of WWI. Even though its performance was rather average it was produced in large numbers: approximately 260 of the earlier D.III and 750 of the D.IIIa. The main change with the D.IIIa version was in moving the machine guns on top of the fuselage where jams could be much more easily cleared by the pilot.

These decals have been designed to fit the new Wingnut Wings Pfalz D.IIIa kit (note the Roden Pfalz is a D.III not the D.IIIa).

Both sets come with an 8 page booklet covering a brief history of Pfalz aircraft, general colouring notes, references, decal application instructions, and notes on individual aircraft (and pilots where known). The sets also come with five full colour A4-sized decal placement guides showing top and side views of each aircraft. These are printed on good quality glossy card.

The decals are printed by Fantasy Printshop in the UK and have minimal carrier film and perfect registration.

Where colours have not been definitively established, Pheon provide evidence for plausible options.

Volume One 32024

1. Pilot unknown, Jasta 4, black spiral ribbon on silver-grey fuselage

2. Marineflieger Jasta MFJIII, black/white diamond on silver-grey fuselage with yellow and white markings

3. Ltn Carl Degelow, Jasta 40, Black with white stag marking

4. Gefr. Heinz Kleineberg, Jasta 20, brown fuselage with white rudder

5. Pilot unknown, Jasta 15, blue fuselage with red nose

6. Pilot unknown, Jasta 16b, black and white striped fuselage

7. Oblt. Friedrich Ritter von Roth, Jasta 16b, black & white diagonal stripe on silver-grey fuselage

8. Pilot unknown, Jasta 58, horizontal black stripe, two vertical red stripes

9. Pilot unknown, Jasta 10, red or black fuselage, yellow nose

Four of the nine options have lozenge (flugzeugstoff) covered wings (#3, 4, 6 & 8).

The spiral ribbon marking on #1 is not included as a decal. Pheon provide tips for modellers to easily mask and paint the ribbon.

The black stripes for #6 are also not included so will need to be masked. This will take a lot of care to get right and may limit the do-ability of this option for less experienced modellers.

Volume Two 32025

1. Ltn Moch, unit unknown, ‘10’ on silver-grey fuselage

2. Pilot unknown, Jasta 5, white horse on red fuselage/green tail

3. Pilot unknown, Jasta 72s, green stripes and nose on silver-grey, lozenge covered wings

4. Ltn. Rudolph Stark, Jasta 34b, lilac fuselage band on silver-grey

5. Vzfw. Karl Gerster, Jasta 62, black with red nose, lozenge covered wings

6. Offz Stv Schuschke, Jasta 64w, black paired fuselage bands on silver-grey fuselage

7. Ltn Aloys Heldman, Jasta 10, yellow nose, blue tail on silver-grey fuselage

8. Vfw Carl Bucker, Kest 8w, green snake around silver-grey fuselage

9. Ltn. Busso von Alvensleben, Jasta 21s, black fuselage with black & white band and unusual cross markings. This one will look particularly striking.

The red outline for the Jasta 5 tail marking on #2 is provided on the decal sheet. The green stripes on #3 are not included in order to avoid difficulties in colour matching the stripe decals to the nose, which would have to be painted.

Decal Application

Some specific points are noted in the instructions. The decals are designed to adhere well without using setting solutions. Micro Sol is OK as a wetting agent but setting solutions intended for use on thick decals are not recommended (Mr Decal Softener, Champs). Careful use of a hair dryer is suggested to help decals conform to compound curves and sharp edges.

Lozenge Decals

The sets do not include lozenge decals as this keeps the cost down for modellers planning to build any of the other options. The Wingnut Wings Pfalz DIIIa kit does come with a single sheet including top and bottom lozenge decals and lozenge rib tapes, but as none of the kit options use lozenge on both wings I suspect there is only sufficient lozenge for either top or bottom wing.

Sheets of 5 colour lozenge decals are available separately from Wingnut Wings. Pheon will have 5 colour lozenge decals available soon, produced as a ‘cookie cutter’ set shaped specifically for the Pfalz D.IIIa wings, including rib tapes already in place.

Lozenge decals will add considerably to the all-up cost, but I expect this won't deter many modellers as the appearance is very eye catching.

After-market decals are about colourful and interesting options and Pheon certainly delivers with 18 different markings to choose from. Overall, this is a high quality release offering excellent value for money.

Thanks to Pheon Models for the review samples.

Ordering is via email to pheon.models@hotmail.co.uk.

Pheon have a product listing hosted over at Britmodeller:

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=34793

Thanks to Pheon Models for the review samples.

Available only directly from Pheon Models by email: pheon.models@hotmail.co.uk

Text and Images Copyright © 2011by James Fahey
Page Created 21 July, 2011
Last updated 21 July, 2011

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