Messerschmitt
Me 109

Part 2

1/48 scale

Lifelike Decals

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Reviewed by Brett Green

After more than four years, Lifelike Decals from Japan has returned to the theme of the Augsburg Eagle with their new sheet, "Messerschmitt Me 109 Part 2".

Lifelike has earned a reputation for high quality decals, and this new offering does not disappoint. The four subjects are:

1. Bf 109 G-6 White 1 Erich Hartmann 7/JG52. This was the well-known Gustav flown by the Luftwaffe's "Ace of Aces" in Hungary during March 1945. The black tulip leaves are supplied as separate decals, as are the thin white outlines. There are four cutouts for the small intake scoops - a nice planning touch. Although the subject has frequently been covered in the past, these markings reflect the latest available information - a must for Hartmann-o-philes.

2. Bf 109 E-1 Black 13 2/JG77 France 1940. An interesting Emil attached to 2./JG 77 in the late summer of 1940 with a yellow lightning bolt down each side of the fuselage. An alternative white lightning bolt is also supplied, as the colour is not completely certain. This could also be used as an underlay for the yellow decal to prevent transparency. The instructions suggest that this aircraft was finished in 74/75/76, but the date is too early. It is more likely finished in either mixed greys (experiments were taking place beginning around this time), or the more conventional colours 71/02/65.

3. Bf 109 F-2 White 9 Hans Phillipp 4/JG54 Russia 1941. This Friedrich has a complex pattern of 74/02/76 on the fuselage sides, with a pale overspray, possibly light grey, over the paint and markings.

4. Bf 109 G-6 White 15 Otto Leisner 1/JG300 1944. A JG 300 Wilde Sau in RLM 75 upper surfaces with RLM 74 blotches, and the broad dull red JG 300 Reich Defence Band.

The decals are printed by Microscale. They are very thin and carrier film is close to the edge of all the markings. Registration is good and printing is crisp. One full set of stencil decals is supplied.

Instructions are supplied on a folded A4 full colour sheet. The history and colours of each aircraft are called out over several paragraphs, and each scheme is thoroughly referenced.

This is an attractive decal package that permits the modeller to use the markings on several different models.

Recommended.

Thanks to Keishiro Nagao of Lifelike Decals for the review sample.

Lifelike Decals are available by email at lifelike@eos.ocn.ne.jp or from

2-8-7-202, Kameari, Katsushika, Tokyo 125-0061, Japan
fax: +81-3-5680-6733