Spitfire Decals Roundup

Eduard, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brad Fallen

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Eduard has followed up its 1/48 Spitfire Mk.IX kits with a range of related aftermarket products.  Eduard's suite of Brassin enhancements is particularly comprehensive, but it has also released three Spitfire-specific decal sheets.  The first features late war RAF roundels and fin flashes, the second national and unit insignia applied to Czechoslovak Mk.IXs in the immediate postwar period, and the third Mk.IX airframe stencils.

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Stencils

The instructions note that the stencils have been “designed exclusively for Spitfire Mk.IX by Eduard”.  This sheet will be particularly useful to anyone purchasing a Weekend Edition Spitfire because Eduard no longer includes stencils in these boxings, presumably to keep prices down.  However, the stencils will also be applicable to Mk.IX kits from other manufacturers, and a range of other Spitfire kits as well – just be guided by your references.

As you can see from the scanned image Eduard has printed the stencils crisply, to the extent that the writing is clearly legible (with words correctly spelled).  There are enough stencils for one aircraft, along with a few extras to cover mistakes.  Carrier film has been kept to a minimum, but still make sure you apply the stencils over a high gloss finish because – in my experience at least – these small decals are more likely to silver than larger markings such as roundels.

Eduard’s placement instructions are comprehensive, and consist of one double-sided sheet with port, starboard, upper and lower views illustrated in grayscale.  A front view of the propeller blades is also provided, to assist with the placement of two stencils on each blade.  Stencil locations are clearly identified by number, although note that the instructions are generic for all Mk.IX subtypes, with variations in stencil placement for ‘C’ and ‘E’ wing machines highlighted as necessary.

British roundels late

This set contains 1/48 decals of the following Spitfire-applicable RAF markings:

• 56 inch ‘B’ Type upper wing roundels

• 56 inch ‘C’ Type upper wing roundels (post-March 1945)

• 32 inch ‘C’ Type under wing roundels (post-May 1942)

• 36 inch ‘C1’ Type fuselage roundels (post-May 1942)

• Standard fin flash (post-May 1942), shaped to fit a Spitfire’s vertical fin.

The title of the set is slightly misleading because, while the post-March 1945 ‘C’ Type roundels are clearly late war markings, the rest of the markings were applied to the RAF’s European theatre Spitfires from May 1942 onwards (and the ‘B’ Type roundels from several years before this).  Eight of each marking type is provided – enough to complete four models, or more if you take into account the two different types of upper wing roundels supplied.

The ‘B’ Type roundels included in Eduard’s first 1/48 Spitfire Mk.IX release came in for some criticism, with reviewers noting that the red centres were too large and the colours – particularly the blue outer ring – perhaps too light.  These issues have been largely addressed in subsequent boxings, although I think the blue in the roundels of the recent Mk.IXc late version Weekend Edition kit is still a bit light.

This sheet of RAF markings has none of these problems.  Printed by Cartograf, the decals look glossy and flawless on the sheet, with excellent registration and colour density.  Colours seem to be present in correct proportion to each other, and the blues and reds look accurate.  They are better than the equivalent colours in the decals of the Weekend Edition kit, which are quite bright in comparison.

The full colour placement guide is unsurprisingly quite simple, consisting of port, starboard, upper and lower views showing the correct location of the roundels and fin flashes. 

Czechoslovak national insignia and squadron badges

Between mid-1945 and mid-1947 the Czechoslovak Air Force took delivery of 78 ex-RAF Spitfire LF Mk.IXes (renamed S-89 in Czechoslovak service).  These aircraft were operated for several years by successor units of the Czechoslovak squadrons that had fought as part of the RAF during the war, before being relegated to training and police duties and then, in many cases, exported.  A useful reference here is Jiri Rajlich’s 2002 book ‘Czechoslovak Spitfires in Detail’, which contains a wealth of written and photographic information.

Czechoslovak Spitfires are attractive modelling subjects, but decal releases covering these aircraft have not been thick on the ground.  Eduard’s themed sheet of national insignia and squadron badges is therefore very welcome.  The following markings are provided on the sheet:

• 8 dull red, dull blue and white circular insignia with white borders

• 8 dull red, dull blue and white circular insignia without white borders

• 4 bright red, bright blue and white circular insignia with white borders

• 4 dull red, dull blue and white rectangular insignia for the vertical fin

• 12 bright red, bright blue and white circular insignia for the vertical fin

• 4 red and white rampant lion badges applicable to aircraft operated by No.310 (Czechoslovak) Squadron, RAF and its successor unit the 1st Air Division

• 4 blue, black and white flying stork badges applicable to aircraft operated by No.312 (Czechoslovak) Squadron, RAF and its successor unit the 2nd Air Division

• 4 brown, white and black flying hawk badges applicable to aircraft operated by No.313 (Czechoslovak) Squadron, RAF and its successor unit the 3rd Air Division.

It’s worth pointing out that the sheet doesn’t contain the prominent alphanumeric codes carried by most Czechoslovak Spitfires, which you will need to source from elsewhere.  However the markings that are offered are done very well. The insignia reflect the subtle evolution of Czechoslovak national markings during the service life of these aircraft, while the squadron badges are applicable to wartime as well as postwar Spitfires.  Enough insignia and badges are provided for a number of projects.

The sheet is printed by Cartograf and is of the same high standard as the British roundels sheet reviewed above.  The decals have been beautifully printed, with solid and crisply demarcated colours.  Details in the smaller unit badges have also been well captured. 

The double-sided instruction sheet offers identical views to those on the roundel instructions, as well as port and starboard scrap views showing the correct placement of the circular insignia on the vertical fin, and port scrap views showing the correct placement for the 310 and 313 Squadron badges.  (The 312 Squadron badges are illustrated on the main profiles.)

Conclusion

While aimed at Eduard’s ongoing 1/48 Spitfire Mk.IX series, these three decal sets are applicable to a much wider range Spitfire kits.  The British and Czechoslovak markings can probably be used on 1/48 models of other aircraft types as well, but you’ll need to check your references.  All three sets have been produced to a high standard (the quality of the two Cartograf-printed sheets is particularly good) and as such they be highly recommended to all.

References

Robert Humphreys, ‘The Supermarine Spitfire – A Comprehensive Guide for the Modeller, Part 1:  Merlin Powered’ (SAM Publications, 2000)

Jiri Rajlich, ‘Czechoslovak Spitfires in Detail’ (Wings and Wheels Publications, 2002)

Thanks to Eduard for the review sample

Review Copyright © 2014 by Brad Fallen
Page Created 17 March, 2014
Last updated 17 March, 2014

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