Reviewed by Rodger Kelly
 

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Custom Aeronautical Miniatures (CAM Decals) continue their coverage of the P-51 Mustang. This time in 1/48 scale and the sheet provides markings for three mustangs, two Bs and a C. Cam Decals have already covered the first two aircraft in 1/32 scale. The markings are the same they have just been re-arranged a little to fit on a single sheet.

First is the well known 43-6315, DING HAO! of the 356th Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group as flown by James Howard out of Essex, England in 1944.

Finish is olive drab over neutral grey with white theatre markings consisting of bands over the wings and horizontal stabilizers (you will have to paint the bands yourself) as well as the nose and spinner.

The provided markings include a complete set of national insignia, yellow serial for the vertical stabilizer, two-part kill markings, white AJ A squadron codes and a yellow outlined DING HO! Stencil data is minimal and in white with the exception of the data block in black and a red no step area for the flaps.

Next is something a little more colourful! 42-106473 of the famous 362nd Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group as flown by John Pugh out of Leiston, England in 1944.

Finish is olive drab upper surfaces over natural metal lower surfaces and fuselage sides. The entire forward fuselage is in yellow with (very) large red checks. The checks are provided as red decals. You will have to paint the yellow yourself. The theatre bands remain but this time they are white over the olive drab and black over the natural metal. As with DING HAO! you will have to paint these yourself.

A further complete set of national insignia is provided but this time the white has been “greyed out”. The remainder of markings are the yellow serials for the vertical stabilizer, and the black G4 N squadron codes. A pretty comprehensive set of stencil data is provided for this option however, it is all in black with the exception of the red no step for the wing.

The third aircraft is 42-106750, a P-51C of the 5th Fighter Squadron, 52nd Fighter Group when it was flown out of Madna, Italy in 1944. Finish is overall Natural metal with the entire empennage in yellow. The nose and spinner are in red and the anti-glare panel is edged in red. There is also a thin black band dividing the yellow of the empennage and the natural metal of the fuselage. Markings consist of black VF squadron codes for the fuselage, a black outline 5 for the tail with small red BY letters centred in the middle of the 5. A reasonably complete set of stencil data and a further set of “greyed out” national insignia round out the markings for this aircraft.

The decals themselves are printed by Microscale. They are sharp, clear and in perfect register. The decal sheet, header card and placement guide are all packed in a clear plastic zip-loc bag.

The decal placement guide is by a double sided A-4 sized sheet that shows left hand side profiles and top views of each aircraft on the front and plan views of each aircraft on the rear. The same side views are also shown on the header card but this time they are in colour. The placement guide also provides comprehensive painting notes for each aircraft as well as a list of references consulted in the research for this sheet. If you are keen on producing replicas of aircraft flown by the 357th Fighter Group add http://www.cebudanderson.com/357fg.htm to your list of references. A great site and well worth a visit.

The recommended kits are the Tamiya B and the Accurate Miniatures B and C.

You get enough markings for complete aircraft without having to rob stencil data or national insignia from other sheets.

This is another good sheet by CAM Decals that provides value for money.

Recommended.

Thanks to Brookhurst Hobbies for the review sample.

CAM Decals are available online from their website at http://www.camdecals.com and from Brookhurst Hobbies

CAM Decals 59 page 2002 color catalog of decals and resin parts is also
now available through the CAM Decals website

Review Copyright © 2003 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 17 March, 2003
Last updated 14 August, 2003

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