Interesting FAA
Wildcats / Martlets

Euro Decals, 1/72 & 1/48 scales

Reviewed by Mick Evans

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Squadron.com

Euro Decals new releases of Interesting FAA Wildcats/Martlets in 1/48 (ED48102), and 1/72 (ED72102) scales are printed to the usual very high standard by Fantasy Print Shop.   

The decals are in perfect register and are sharply printed. Colour saturation looks excellent so there will be no see through effect with the camouflaged schemes.  The carrier film is very thin and should disappear under a coating of clear finish. 

The artwork has been well defined even with the reduction to 1/72 scale.

The colour reference sheet provided is printed on heavy glossy paper and is excellent being both in colour and accurate.   The instructions give good reference and decal placement for both sides of the aircraft where necessary.

Marking Options

Markings are provided for seven aircraft in some very striking schemes is listed below. 

1.   Grumman Martlet Mk1, AL247 ‘B’ of 802 Naval Air Squadron, based at Donibristle in February 1941. The Aircraft is finished in the Tropical Sea Scheme of Flag Blue 24 and Sea Green 28 upper surface with Light Blue 27 lower surfaces.  This aircraft had a large white B painted on the fuselage with no other distinguishing markings. 

2.   Grumman Martlet Mk1, BJ562 ‘A’ of 804 Naval Air Squadron, based at Skeabrea in December 1940. The Aircraft is finished in the standard Temperate Sea Scheme of Extra Dark Sea Grey and Dark Slate Grey upper surface but had kept the Light Blue 27 lower surfaces.  This aircraft had a large white ‘A’ painted on the fuselage with an 18 in wide Sky Type S Fighter Command fuselage band.  A small flying Pluto marking was painted just behind the cockpit. 

3.   Grumman Martlet Mk1, BJ561 ‘A’ of 804 Naval Air Squadron, based at Skeabrea in winter 1940/41. The Aircraft is finished in the standard Temperate Sea Scheme of Extra Dark Sea Grey and Dark Slate Grey upper surface but had kept the Light Blue 27 lower surfaces.  This aircraft had codes S-7L painted in Sky on the port side of the fuselage and the same codes were painted in red on the starboard side.  An 18 in wide Sky Type S Fighter Command fuselage band was also applied.  A replacement upper nose cowl was fitted still painted in the Tropical Sea Scheme of Flag Blue 24 and Sea Green 28 

4.   Grumman Martlet MkIV, FN148 ‘9C.0 of 893 Naval Air Squadron, based at Qrendi Malta in 1943. The Aircraft is finished in the standard Scheme of Extra Dark Sea Grey and Dark Slate Grey upper surface over Sky Type S lower surfaces.    A small Squadron crest marking was painted over the white of the national tail stripes.  An error on the artist’s behalf has left the fuselage codes omitted on the instruction sheet, so you will have to refer to some reference material for this aircraft. 

5.   Grumman Martlet MkVI, JV661 ‘Q.Y’ Yvonne of 853 Naval Air Squadron, based on board HMS Queen in 1945. The Aircraft is finished in the standard Scheme of Extra Dark Sea Grey and Dark Slate Grey upper surface over Sky Type S lower surfaces.  This aircraft had a yellow ‘Q’ painted on the Starboard fuselage side and a yellow ‘Y’ painted on the port side of the fuselage.  A small Yvonne nose art figure was painted on each side of the nose. 

6.   Grumman Martlet MkVI, JV735 ‘Q.W’ Wanda of 853 Naval Air Squadron, based on board HMS Queen in 1945. The Aircraft is finished in the standard Scheme of Extra Dark Sea Grey and Dark Slate Grey upper surface over Sky Type S lower surfaces.  This aircraft had a yellow ‘Q’ painted on the Starboard fuselage side and a yellow ‘W’ painted on the port side of the fuselage. A small Wanda nose art figure was applied to each side of the nose. 

7.   Grumman Martlet MkIV, serial unknown ‘Q.U’ Ursula of 853 Naval Air Squadron, based on board HMS Queen in 1945. The Aircraft is finished in the standard Scheme of Extra Dark Sea Grey and Dark Slate Grey upper surface over Sky Type S lower surfaces.  This aircraft had a yellow ‘Q’ painted on the Starboard fuselage side and a yellow ‘U’ painted on the port side of the fuselage. A small Ursula nose art figure was applied to each side of the nose.

 Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Euro Decals for the review sample

Euro Decals are available online via Fanstasy Printshop's website

Review Copyright © 2005 by Mick Evans
Page Created 15 November, 2005
Last updated 15 November, 2005

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