Spitfire Mk.IX/XVI Aces

DK Decals, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Mark Davies

Xtradecal's 1/72 scale Junkers Ju 87 B/K/R Stuka decals
are available online from Squadron.com

Timed nicely to coincide with the release of Eduard’s stunning Spitfire Mk.IX recently reviewed here on HyperScale by Brett Green, this set provides 30 options covering Spitfire Mk.IX’s & XVI’s flown by aces.

The decals are supplied in the ubiquitous A-5 zip-lock plastic bag, although the packaging method is more unusual in that the single A-4 page of instructions are folded in three to enclose three decals sheets and their protective talcs.
The instructions are very nicely produced in colour on glossy paper, and clearly indicate markings placement. A brief note regarding the aircraft and its station location is listed in a separate box and keyed to each subject. Colour call outs are listed using RAF and further cross-referenced to the Humbrol and Agama paint ranges.

Each scheme is illustrated using a single side-profile view, with one scrap view for Scheme No29 which features ‘999’ and ‘1000’ as markings on the propeller blades. These profile views are about as small as one would want them to get, but are fit for purpose; they can be improved by scanning an enlargement as I have done here.

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Thumbnail panels:

Plan views are much smaller, but include panel lines to aid correct placement of national insignia, and so again are adequate.

The thirty schemes are predictably similar wearing the European Temperate scheme of Dark Green & Ocean Grey over Medium Sea Grey with a sky recognition band and spinner; but some feature invasion stripes and two have black spinners, which add a little variety. Of course the emphasis of this set is not the liveries but the markings for mounts of aces. Of the thirty provided, two are of Wg Cdr E.J. Johnson’s mounts.

A note mentions that all camouflage patterns are a reconstruction of possible appearance. I take this to mean that the patterns apparent in reference photos has been extrapolated to correspond standard patterns, as only rarely will photos showing all sides of a particular subject be available.

The schemes covered by this set are listed in the scanned image below. I assume the figures are scores grouped by individual plus shared victories, individual plus shared probables, and individual plus shared damaged:

The decals are printed by BOA Agency appear to be of superb quality, with excellent registration, good colour density, and a gloss finish. I also suspect that they may be a little thicker than some Czech decals as it is possible to feel them raised from their backing paper. I am confident they are not too thick by any means, just that I suspect these will be less fragile and prone to folding over on themselves than some other Czech decal brands.
The decals come supplied on two sheets. They include serial numbers and codes covering all thirty options, with sufficient national insignia for three aircraft (obviously kit decals will provide for these in the majority of cases).

These are superbly well produced decals, and represent excellent value. They enable Spitfires of twenty-nine aces to be modelled in ‘The One True Scale’, something many Spitfire fans will welcome.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Red Roo Models for this sample.

Text and Images Copyright © 2016 by Mark Davies
This Page Created on 1 September, 2016
Last updated 2 September, 2016

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