Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-9

Decal Sheets in 1/72, 1/48 & 1/32 Scale

EagleCals Decals

Previewed by Brett Green

Eagle Cals #57 and #58 will be available online from Squadron.com

Eagle Editions latest EagleCals' releases are just in time for Hasegawa's beautiful new Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-9 kit in 1/32 scale.

Both decal sets are beautifully printed and in perfect register. The instruction artwork by Tom Tullis features finely reproduced halftones, mottles, weathering plus realistic depiction of light and shade. The large versions of these illustrations are very, very attractive!

In common with earlier EagleCals releases, the research behind these decals and the artwork is first class. In addition to the artwork, every subject is also covered in photographs on the instruction sheet. The descriptions of the colour schemes and markings are quite detailed, yet are not dogmatic in their conclusions. I do like this "one-stop reference" approach adopted by Eagle Editions.

There is a good variety of markings and aircraft in these two new decal sets.

I only received the decal sheet this morning but I have been working on the kit for a few weeks. I could not resist applying the major markings straight away.

The surface of the model was not prepared with a gloss coat. I simply polished the paintwork with a nail buffer. Super Set wetting agent was used on the plastic, but setting solution was not. The decals conformed so well to panel lines and other recessed features that the solvent was not required. Carrier film was extremely thin and almost disappeared once the decals were dry. The white sections of the markings were perfectly opaque, and I liked the slightly light and bright interpretation of the brown on the number and Gruppe bar.

The title image and the detail shot below show the decals on the model before the application of a clear flat coat. Note how the decals have conformed to the surface detail in the image below.

Specifically, the subjects covered on each sheet are:

EagleCals #57

Yellow 15 of 7./JG 301 - This is a colourful aircraft that is sometimes interpreted as Blue 15 and also is often depicted with a horizontal II Gruppe bar. The photos included with the decal sheet help with the interpretation of the real colours..

This aircraft is also interesting because it is from the 500XXX werknummer batch. Typically, these aircraft featured peculiar painting characteristics, including lower wings with the leading section painted RLM 75.

Blue 9 of II. JG 6 - Finished in 83/81 and 75 upper surfaces, with 76 lower surfaces.

Christl of Stab./JG 6 - Gerhard Barkhorn's famous aircraft depicted without the Red White Red RV bands.

<ΙΙ of Stab. JG 2 - Another interesting subject with Yellow White Yellow RV bands, and a faded number 41 on the rudder.

EagleCals #58

Brown 18 of II./JG 26 - A typically "greened up" Dora of JG 26 with 82/83 Green upper surfaces and a patchwork lower surface with (probably) a combination of RLM 75, natural metal, RLM 76 and sky green, typical of the 500XXX werknummer batch.

< - + - of Stab JG 4. 75 and 83 upper surfaces with Black White Black RV band. The upper cowl is mottled with possibly either "sky green" or RLM 02.

< 1 of Stab IV./JG 51. This wears a surprising scheme of RLM 74/75 Grey upper surfaces and (not so surprising) RLM 76 below.

Black 6, a big-tailed Dora attached to III./JG 2. This is another unusual colour scheme from the 500XXX werknummer block.

This is another high quality, well-researched and professionally presented production from EagleCals. The markings will be of interest to anyone building a Dora in 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32 scale, but the timing for the big new Hasegawa kit is perfect.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Judy at Eagle Editions for the review samples

EagleCals decals are available from Eagle Editions Website
or Hobby Retailers including Squadron.com.     

Preview Text Copyright © 2003 by Brett Green
This Page Created on 29 April, 2003
Last updated 14 August, 2003

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