Reviewed by Rodger Kelly
 

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FirstLook

CED48221 is one of the new sheets in Cutting Edge Modelwork's latest batch of decal releases. It provides markings for four late-war Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-9s.

First is a Dora that belonged to II/JG 6 and was found by the 7th Armoured Division at Halle, in 1945. Camouflage is RLM 82 light green, RLM 83 dark green over RLM 76 light blue/grey with a RLM 70 dark green spinner and RLM 04 yellow lower engine cowl. There is also a further patch of RLM 02 light grey on the fuselage side which covered the previous Staffel number. Fuselage/fin and rudder mottle is a mixture of RLM 84 greenish blue and 82.

Markings comprise a red 3 and a horizontal red II Gruppe bar with white outline Balkenkreuze for the upper wings and fuselage. There is also as set of Black 3 and Gruppe bar supplied as it was not sure if the aircraft wore black or red markings – your choice! The fuselage Balkenkreuze are filled with 82 and you will have to do this yourself. Solid black Balkenkreuze for the under surfaces of the wings and large Hakenkreuz complete the markings.

Next is a machine from III/JG 54 from mid 1945. Camouflage is 82/83/84 with a black and white spiralled spinner. Fuselage/fin and rudder mottle is in 82.

Markings consist of a yellow 4 and a vertical yellow Gruppe bar. These markings have a black outline and the outlines are supplied as separate decals to address any register problem that may arise. National insignia is black outline Balkenkreuze for the fuselage and under surfaces of the wings, mid-sized Hakenkreuz for the fin and white outline Balkenkreuze for the upper surfaces of the wings. The remaining markings consist of personal insignia in the form of a yellow edged four leaf clover with the word BUMS for either side of the fusealage and a white spiral for the spinner.

Number three is an aircraft from II/JG6 which was discovered at Halle by the 69th Infantry Division in 1945. Camouflage is RLM 75 mid grey/83/76 also with a black and white spiralled spinner and the lower engine cowling is in either 04 or was left in natural metal. Fuselage/fin and rudder mottle is in 81 brown violet and 82.

National insignia are as per the previous aircraft with the exception of a larger Hakenkreuz. Other markings consist of a blue 9 with a single Two Gruppe bar. These last markings have a white outline and Cutting Edge have opted to supply the white part as a larger solid white decal that you place a smaller blue one over. Thankfully, the spiral for the spinner is also supplied as a decal.

The last Dora has a Werk number. 213097 was flown by Oberfeldwebel Heinz Marquardt in April of 1945 and belonged to IV/JG51. Camouflage is 82/83/84 with a 70 spinner and natural metal gun cowling and lower engine cowling. Fuselage/fin and rudder mottle is in fairly dense 82. The 82 mottle also extends to the outer surfaces of the undercarriage doors This machine is somewhat odd in that the forward fuselage is in 82/76 which probably resulted in the sub-assemblies being painted in different location before assembly..

National insignia is black outline Balkenkreuze forthe fuselage, white outline Balkenkreuze for the upper surfaces of the wings and solid black Balkenkreuze for the lower surfaces. Hakenkreuz is mid-sized and solid black. Markings consist of white 11 and a white IV Gruppe squiggle and the Werk number for either side of the fin in black. This aircraft is illustrated on page 135 of the More Luftwaffe Fighter Aircraft in Profile book.

The decals look to be Microscale products so you know they will work and work well. There are sufficient markings to produce two aircraft from the sheet. Find two more upper wing Balkenkreuze from elswher and you can produce all four.

Unusual for Cutting Edge, there is also a single full and complete set of stencil data provided. I'd say that we will see these stencils provided on all forthcoming 190 sheets as it includes the different octane triangles – thanks Cutting Edge!

Decal placement is guided by an A-4 sized sheet that has colour left-hand side profiles of each aircraft as well as appropriate upper and lower surfaces views. These is also a further smaller sheet provided. This sheet contains amplification notes on three of the aircraft, a cross reference of RLM colours to readily available model paints a placement guide for the stencil data and a bibliography on the reverse side.

This is a nice sheet from Cutting Edge which provides value for money. The inclusion of stencil data is certainly welcome.

Recommended!
 

Thanks to Cutting Edge Modelworks for the review samples..

Review Copyright © 2003 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 21 June, 2003
Last updated 14 August, 2003

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