Worldwide De Havilland Vampires

Euro Decals, 1/72 & 1/48 scales

Reviewed by Mick Evans

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Squadron.com

EuroDecals’ new releases of Worldwide de Havilland Vampires in 1/48 (ED48103), and 1/72 (ED72103) scale, are printed to a very high standard by printers Fantasy Print Shop.     

The decals are in perfect register and are sharply printed.   Colour saturation looks good 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 with all of the data decals being readable - even in 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 supplied for nine aircraft in some very striking schemes is listed below. 

1.   De Havilland Vampire FB.Mk.5, WA346 of 3/4 CAACU, based at Exeter in 1960. The Aircraft is finished in Dark Green BS381C641 and Dark Sea Grey BS381C638 upper surface with Silver lower surfaces.  This aircraft had a large white no 29 painted on the nose with no other distinguishing markings. 

2.   De Havilland Vampire FB.Mk.9, WR128 of 502 County of Ulster Squadron, RauxAF, based at RNAS Sydenham in 1955. The Aircraft is finished in Dark Green BS381C641 and Dark Sea Grey BS381C638 upper surface with Silver lower surfaces.  This aircraft had a large Red ‘A’ and the squadron crest painted on the nose and had the squadrons pennant a red lightning flash on a rectangular light blue background painted each side of the tail boom roundel and on the lower nose. 

3.   De Havilland Vampire FB.Mk.3, WA320 of 502/605/612 Squadrons, RauxAF, based at Honiley in 1953-54. The Aircraft is finished in all over Silver.  This aircraft had the vertical stabilizer bullet fairings and the lower nose painted red. The three squadron’s pennants were painted along the side of the tail boom on each side of the roundel. 

4.   De Havilland Vampire FB.Mk.5, WZ305 RLS flown by Wing Commander R.L. Smith of 502/605/612 Squadrons, based at RAF Ousten in 1954-55. The Aircraft is finished in Dark Green BS381C641 and Dark Sea Grey BS381C638 upper surface with PRU Blue lower surfaces.  This aircraft had a large yellow RLS painted on the nose and had two different squadron pennants a red and dark blue diagonally divided rectangle painted on the port side tail boom and a yellow and light purple triangular divided pennant on the starboard side of the tail boom.  The rudders and wing tips are also finished in a yellow and light purple diamond pattern. 

5.   De Havilland Vampire FB.Mk.9, WR264 29 of the RAF Flying College, based at Cranwell in the early 1960s. The Aircraft is finished in Dark Green BS381C641 and Dark Sea Grey BS381C638 upper surface with Dark Sea Grey BS381C638 lower surfaces.  This aircraft had a large day glow orange panels painted on the nose, outer wing panels and tail booms.  The tail boom roundels were painted over a light blue rectangular panel with dark blue pin strip edges.  A large white 29 was painted on the nose.

6.   De Havilland Vampire FB.Mk.5, 216 of the Advance Fling School South African Air Force, based at Pietersburg in summer 1971. The Aircraft is finished in all over Silver.  .  This aircraft had a large day glow orange panels painted on the nose, wing tips and tail booms.  The school’s emblem was painted on the nose. 

7.   De Havilland Vampire FB.Mk.31, A79-467 of 21 City of Melbourne Squadron Citizens Air Force RAAF, based at Laverton in November 1953. The Aircraft is finished in all over Silver.  This aircraft had a Black No 21 painted on the nose with a red and yellow bird painted over.

8.   De Havilland Vampire FB.Mk.5, NZ5776 0f 75 Squadron RNAF, in 1964. The Aircraft is finished in all over Silver.  This aircraft had a rectangular Red pennants with Yellow diamond painted on each of the tail boom roundels. 

9.   De Havilland Vampire FB.Mk.5, 10090 57S.10 of Escadrille 57S Aeronavale of the French Navy, in 1960. The Aircraft is finished in all over Gloss Sea Blue ANA623.  This aircraft had a white 57S.10 painted on the nose with the French tri colours with an anchor painted on the rudder. 

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 07 November, 2005
Last updated 06 November, 2005

Back to HyperScale Main Page

Back to Reviews Page