P-51 Mustang Decal Sets

LPS Hobby, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Mark Davies

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The North American P-51 Mustang is a true classic and a justifiably popular modelling subject.  LPS Hobby’s latest three releases are pitched to take advantage of this fact.

Each set of decals comes in a zip-lock plastic bag. An A-5 sized header is printed in colour, as are the painting and decaling guides. These are I think ink-jet and have a matt finish.

Colour call-outs refer to FS-595 and ANA codes as well in the case of the British sheet. They are replete with useful notes on markings, propeller type fitted, spinner colour etc, as well as stencil plans for the USAAF aircraft. The more I studied the instructions, the more I came to appreciate their clear layout and thoroughness.

The decals are printed by Micro Scale and appear to be of excellent quality, with superb registration and what looks like good opacity. The sheets advise in each case that the sets are designed for use with the Tamiya P-51D/K and Academy P-51B/C kits. The relevance of this I think is mainly in regard to the bands for the spinners and checkers intended to surround the engine cowl, as all other decals should be unaffected by the brand of kit selected.

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Three subjects per sheet is fine as such, but the sheets are fairly small and lack sufficient national insignia and stencils to complete all three options. I feel that these sets are a rather expensive compared to brands with equivalent quality decals using the same size packaging, but offering either more subject choices and/or complete markings sets for each subject. I’d still buy them because of the subject choices, but for the money I’d like to be able to complete each subject without resorting to other decals sources for national insignia and stencils.

LPM72-09: British Silver Mustangs

Three quite colourfulMustang IVa options, at least for RAF machines:

• KM272, QV-V, ”Dooleybird”, F/Lt A.B. Doley, 19 Sqn RAF, Peterhead, England, May 1945 (Post ware underwing serial number sare included).

• KH716, CV-P, Sqn Ldr Murray Nash, 3 Sqn RAAF, Fano, Italy, March 1945.

• KH818, QV-F, F/Lt Davidson, 19 Sqn RAF, Peterhead, England, March 1945.

LPM72-10: British Camouflaged Mustangs

Another three quite colourful Mustang Iva options:

• KH608, Y2,“Edmonton Special”, PO John Mallandaine, 442 Sqn RCAF, Hunsdon, England. May 1945

• KH673, GL-N, “Sweetpea”, 5 Sqn SAAF, Udine Italy, January 1945

• KH676, CV-A, F/Lt 'Dusty' Lane, 3 Sqn RAAF, Cervia, Italy, April 1945

LPM72-10: Tuskegee Mustangs

Another three quite colourful options:

• P-51D, 31, “Dearly Beloved”, 1Lt Earl R Lane. 100th FS, 332nd FG, Ramittili, Italy 1944.

• P-51C-10, 42-103950, 78, “Janice”, 2Lt Paul L Green. 302nd FS, 332nd FG, Ramittili, Italy 1944.

• P-51C, A3-8, “Apache II”, 1Lt Henry Perry, 99th FS, 332nd FG, Ramittili, Italy1944.

The quality of the decals in these sets appears to be excellent, and that obviously counts for a lot. The subject choices are also interesting and attractive.
 
The sets are in my view a bit expensive compared to similar sized packages from other producers, and would offer more justifiable value if full sets of national insignia and stencils were included for each option.

Despite my concerns regarding value, the subjects and the decal quality would still tempt me to buy these sets. I’m happy to recommend them as value perception can vary widely amongst different people.

Thanks to LPS Hobby for this sample.

Text and Images Copyright © 2013 by Mark Davies
This Page Created on 28 May, 2013
Last updated 28 May, 2013

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