Decals for
Pfalz D.XII in 1/32 & 1/48

Pheon Models

Reviewed by James Fahey

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The Pfalz D.XII was a late war German fighter, a contemporary of the Fokker DVII. Although its performance was an improvement over earlier Pfalz and Albatros fighters, it fell short of the Fokker DVII in terms of climb, speed, ease of handling and manoeuvrability. Its two-bay rigging created a lot of work for ground crew compared to the Fokker, whose cantilever wing design had no rigging. History has been rather unkind to the Pfalz DXII but it was a well built aircraft and was able to effectively oppose Allied fighters of the time.

The 1/32 set complements the recently released Wingnut Wings kit. I enjoyed Pheon’s comment that there appears to have been a degree of nonchalance in the modelling press and online forums regarding the release of the Pfalz D.XII as many modellers await the arrival of the Fokker D.VII – a case of history repeating itself!

The 1/48 scale release has been designed to fit the Special Hobby kit (which is still widely available), although it could also be used on the earlier Blue Max kit. Note that although the Special Hobby kit is marketed in ‘early’ and ‘late’ versions, the late fin and rudder needed for all the options in this Pheon decal set are included in both versions.

Both sets come with an 8 page booklet covering a brief history of Pfalz aircraft, general colouring notes, references and decal application instructions. Notes on individual aircraft and pilots are relatively brief due to a relative paucity of information. Three full colour A4-sized decal placement guides show 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.

1/48 modellers are in for a treat as this set includes lots of extra detail markings not included in the Special Hobby kit: Pfalz trademarks for wheels, struts and rudder, Hier anfassen (“Lift Here”) and Hier ünterstützen (“Support Here”), Benzintank (fuel tank), öltank (Oiltank) markings, rigging diagram and logos for propeller manufacturers Axial and Propulsor. Pheon acknowledge the research carried out by Wingnut Wings who provide all these extras as standard in their 1/32 kit.

A generous selection of options is provided, eleven in 1/48 and ten in 1/32 scale (the 11th option in the 1/48 scale set is one of the options in the Wingnut Wings kit). Some of the options are really colourful, others are plainer but striking, particularly those with white personal markings over black fuselages. For something quite different there is a captured aircraft flown by the Belgians after the war. Where colours have not been definitively established, Pheon provide evidence for plausible finishes.

The 1/48 set includes national insignia bar crosses (balkenkreuz) in the 4:5 arm ratio as an option.

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.

There are lots of colourful and interesting options to choose from in these sets.

The Special Hobby Pfalz D.XII has been around since 2004 and lots of WWI modellers in this scale probably have one in their stash. This decal release is just the right motivation to move the kit out of the loft and onto the workbench.

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 © 2012 by James Fahey
Page Created 7 May, 2012
Last updated 23 July, 2012

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