Hunting Jet Provost T.3/T.4/T.51/T.52

Xtradecal, 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

This sheet is intended to compliment the forthcoming new-tool Airfix Jet Provost T.3/T.3a due for release around the end of August this year. Based on their recent new releases this should be a very good kit indeed. The kit markings are advised as both being for RAF aircraft, a T.3 of No.2 Flying Training School in 1967, and a T.3A of No.1 Flying Training School in 1984.

Of course, these decals are equally well suited to the exquisite CMR Jet Provost kit, if perhaps a little wasted on the original Airfix kit of 1959.

The Decals

The decals are supplied in Xtradecal’s usual polythene zip-lock bag. The instructions are very nicely produced in colour, and clearly indicate markings placement. A brief note regarding the aircraft and its station location is given for each subject. A list of Xtracolor and Xtracrylix paint codes is also provided for the colours, which are identified by their common or generic names.

A modeler’s note accompanying each scheme advises to use the kit stencils and standard markings, although the latter is not referring to national insignia as these are supplied in full for each option.

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Thumbnail panels:

The sheet reviewed here covers eight options; most of which are quite colourful, and all interesting in my opinion. The specific subjects covered are:

• T.3, XN577/45, RAF College Cranwell, Lincolnshire, UK, 1960's;
• T.51, CJ711, 6 Sqn, Royal Ceylon AF/Sri Lankan AF, Sri Lanka, 1971;
• T.4, XR679/04, 79(R) Sqn, Tactical Weapons Unit,  RAF Brawdy, Pembrokeshire, UK, 1984;
• T.52, 101, South Arabian AF, Iraq 1965;
• T.4, XR679, 79(R) Sqn, Tactical Weapons Unit,  RAF Brawdy, Pembrokeshire, UK, 1989;
• T.3, XP629, Manby College of Air Warfare, 'The Macaws', RAF Collerne, Wiltshire, UK, 1968;
• T.52, E040, Escula de Aviazion Militar, Venezuelan AF, Palo Negro, Maracay, Venezuela, 1964; and
• T.3, XN554/60, Central Flying School, RAF Little Rissington, Gloucestershire, UK, 1968;

The decals appear superbly printed by Microscale Decals, with excellent colour density and registration.

My scan of the decals failed to correctly capture the colour and density of the Day-Glo stripes at the bottom of the sheet for some reason; the colour is more apparent in the Xtradecal image included in the gallery images.

These are superbly well produced decals that represent excellent value in my opinion. They provide some interesting and colourful markings to compliment the new-tool Jet Provost T.3 due for imminent release by Airfix, or the existing CMR T.3/T.4 kit.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Hannants for this sample.

Text and Images Copyright © 2016 by Mark Davies
This Page Created on 5 August, 2016
Last updated 5 August, 2016

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