Freightdog Models

Brits Abroad

1/72 & 1/48 Spitfire & Thunderbolt decal sheet

£5.50   product # FSD72-002 & FSD48-001 from Freightdog Models

Review by Steve Bamford on Sept 14 2007

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This new decal sheet from Freightdog Models includes markings for five different Spitfires and three different  P-47 Thunderbolts....eight aircraft in all.   

The first aircraft is a Republic Thunderbolt Mk.II KL339 'FLO' of 81 Squadron, RAF, based at Kemajoram, Java in 1946.  The paint scheme for this aircraft is Natural Metal overall with a Roundel Blue SEAC identification bands around the engine cowling forward ring and around the tailfin and tailplanes and mainplanes.  Code letters are FL O.  There is ANA 613 Olive Drab anti-glare panels in front and behind the canopy.  Recommended 1/72 kits are the Tamiya P-47D 'Bubbletop', Revell P-47D 'Bubbletop', Academy P-47D 'Bubbletop'.  Recommended 1/48 kits are the Tamiya P-47D 'Bubbletop' and Academy P-47D 'Bubbletop'. 

The second aircraft is a Republic Thunderbolt Mk.I HD154 '18' of 73 OTU, RAF, based at Fayid, Egypt in 1946.  The paint scheme for this aircraft is ANA 613 Olive Drab, ANA 603 Sea Gray, ANA 602 Light Gray uppersurface camouflage over ANA 602 Light Gray underside with a ANA 610 Sky rear fuselage band.  Code number on the rear fuselage is white 18.  Noseart is a Ace of Spades playing card.  Recommended 1/72 kits are the Tamiya P-47D 'Bubbletop', Revell P-47D 'Bubbletop', Academy P-47D 'Bubbletop'.  Recommended 1/48 kits are the Tamiya P-47D 'Bubbletop' and Academy P-47D 'Bubbletop'. 

 

The third aircraft is a Supermarine Spitfire FR.Mk.XIVe, MV357 of 11 Squadron, RAF based at Miho, Japan in May of 1946.  The paint scheme for this aircraft is Medium Sea Grey and Dark Green disruptive pattern applied on the upper surfaces over Natural Metal undersides with a Natural metal spinner.  Recommended 1/72 kit is the Fujimi FR.Mk.XIVe.  Recommended 1/48 kits are the Academy FR.Mk.XIVe. 

The fourth aircraft is a Supermarine Spitfire FR.Mk.XIVe, NH869 of 28 Squadron, RAF based at Kuala Lumpur in 1946.  The paint scheme for this aircraft is Dark Green, Dark Earth disruptive pattern applied on the upper surfaces over Medium Sea Grey undersides with a White spinner and White SEAC identification bands around the tailfin and tailplanes and mainplanes.  Code number is H.   Recommended 1/72 kit is the Fujimi FR.Mk.XIVe.  Recommended 1/48 kits are the Academy FR.Mk.XIVe.  Artwork on the tail is an outline of a sword with small artwork on that over a paint white area on the tail of the aircraft. 

The fifth aircraft is a Supermarine Spitfire FR.Mk.18, TZ214 'GZ J' flown by Flt. Lt. F.E. Dymond with 'A' Flight of 32 Squadron, RAF based in Palestine in 1948.  The paint scheme for this aircraft is Dark Green, Ocean Grey disruptive pattern applied on the upper surfaces over Medium Sea Grey undersides with a Sky 'Type S' spinner and and a Sly rear fuselage band.  Code letters are GZ J.  Recommended 1/72 kit is the Fujimi FR.Mk.XIVc (Conv).  Recommended 1/48 kits are the Academy FR.Mk.XIVe with Aeroclub Conversion set.  Artwork on the tail is balck and white checkerboard artwork on the tail of the aircraft. 

The sixth aircraft is a Republic Thunderbolt Mk.II KL308 'RS.C' of 30 Squadron, RAF, based at Baigatchi, India in 1945.  The paint scheme for this aircraft is Natural Metal overall with a Roundel Blue SEAC identification bands around the engine cowling forward ring and around the tailfin and tailplanes and mainplanes.  Code letters are RS C.  There is ANA 613 Olive Drab anti-glare panels in front and behind the canopy.  Recommended 1/72 kits are the Tamiya P-47D 'Bubbletop', Revell P-47D 'Bubbletop', Academy P-47D 'Bubbletop'.  Recommended 1/48 kits are the Tamiya P-47D 'Bubbletop' and Academy P-47D 'Bubbletop'. 

The seventh aircraft is a Supermarine Spitfire FR.Mk.XIVc, RN135 flown by Sqn. Ldr. J. H. 'Ginger' Lacey of 17 Squadron, RAF based at Miho, Japan in 1946.  The paint scheme for this aircraft is Dark Green, Medium Sea Grey disruptive pattern applied on the upper surfaces over Medium Sea Grey undersides with a Red spinner and White back plate.  Code letters are RN135.   Recommended 1/72 kit is the Fujimi FR.Mk.XIVc.  Recommended 1/48 kits are the Academy FR.Mk.XIVc. 

The eighth aircraft is a Supermarine Spitfire FR.Mk.XIVc, RN185 of 17 Squadron, RAF based at Miho, Japan in 1946.  The paint scheme for this aircraft is Dark Green, Medium Sea Grey disruptive pattern applied on the upper surfaces over Medium Sea Grey undersides with a Yellow spinner and White back plate.  Code letters are RN185.   Recommended 1/72 kit is the Fujimi FR.Mk.XIVc.  Recommended 1/48 kits are the Academy FR.Mk.XIVc. 

The instructions are clear and include 4 colour views of each aircraft.  The paint colour codes are listed as BS and FS as well as Humbrol, Xtracolour, Xtraacrylix, Lifecolor and Modelmaster.  The decals are beautifully printed on 1 decal sheet.  The quality of the decals is first rate. 

A very complete decal sheet from this new manufacturer and I look forward to seeing more of their future releases.  The selection of 8 aircraft on this decal sheet has me quite excited about the next releases from Freightdog Models.

Steve

I would like to thank Freightdog Models for providing me with this review sample and I wish them success in their new venture.

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford