It's been a long time since we have seen new decals for B-17s.  AeroMaster must have realised this and have now released two new sheets covering four 8th Air Force machines. 

Sheet 48-671 provides markings for two natural metal finish B-17Gs with olive drab anti-glare panels on the nose and the inner surfaces of the cowlings.  The individual aircraft are as follows. 

"THE FOX", B-17G 43-7657 of the 534th Bomb Squadron, 381st Bomb Group flying out of Ridgewell, Essex in the UK.  "THE FOX" wears the 1st Combat Wing's red markings on her fin, wingtips and horizontal stabilizers, with white letter L in black triangle Group markings.  Her supplied markings comprise: 

• White letter L in black triangle Group markings for either side of the fin and top of the right wing.

• Black GD squadron codes and I individual aircraft in squadron letter.

• White 337657 serial number for the fin

• White letter I individual aircraft in squadron code letter for the base of the fin.

• Nose art in the form of a fox holding a pint glass and the name "THE FOX" for the nose.  The aircraft was supposedly named after the local public house.

"SUPER RABBIT", B-17G 42-102598, of the 351st 100th Bomb Squadron, 100th Bomb Group, flying out of Thorpe Abbotts, Norfolk in 1944.  Nowhere as colourful as the previous machine, "SUPER RABBIT" wears the letter D in black square group markings.  Supplied markings comprise:

• Black square letter D group markings for the fin and upper right wing.

• Black 2102598 serial for the fin.

• Black EP Squadron codes and F individual aircraft in squadron letter.   There is a further, smaller F for the fin.

• Nose art comprising a bomb tossing rabbit wearing a superman cape and the name, "SUPER RABBIT" in white with a red surround.

• A scoreboard of 23 missions in red and yellow.

• A single red star with a yellow hammer and scythe.  No mention is made of this marking on the placement guide.  Perhaps the aircraft took part in one of the ill-fated shuttle missions to Russia.

Stencil data is confined to a single set of propeller logos and stencils.  Two sets of national insignia are provided.  One set on the main sheet with a further set on a supplementary sheet.  Interestingly, the set on the supplementary sheet is a paler blue that those on the main sheet.  There is also an instrument panel and pedestal decal provided. 

The decals have been printed in Mexico.  They are thin, but not as thin as other "printed in Mexico" decals from AeroMaster/Eagle Strike.  Everything is in perfect register and each design has a minimum of decal film surrounding each design which is good as decal film really shows up on natural metal finish models. 

The placement guide is A-4 in size and shows coloured side profile of each machine in the centre pages with plan views of the wings on the reverse side.  The guide also lists the references consulted in producing the sheet. 

The placement guide and the two decal sheets are packed in a clear plastic zip-loc bag. 

The suggested kit is the Monogram/Revell one. 

Nice stuff from AeroMaster. 

Recommended.

Thanks to Aeromaster / Eagle Strike Products for the review sets

On-line sales are available from the AeroMaster Products / Eagle Strike Productions web site.

Review TextCopyright © 2004 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 16 August, 2004
Last updated 16 August, 2004

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