AMtech

1/48 Henschel HS123A decal sheet

Product # TGR-48105

Product Article by Steve Bamford on Apr 28 2003

 

 

 

This new decal sheet from AMtech includes markings for five different 1/48 Hs123's including one with the Spanish Air Force and 4 with the Luftwaffe.  One of the Luftwaffe aircraft is a pre-war bird and one is an Eastern Front Luftwaffe machine.  The recommended kit for these decals is the 1/48 Esci Hs123.  All the Swastikas on this decal sheet are done in 2 parts and the instructions do not show a Swastika, so this will permit easy importation into countries that have laws against the Swastika symbol.The first aircraft is a Hs123A-1with 3./JG 165 "Immelmann" Furstenfeldbruck in 1937.  The paint scheme for this aircraft is RLM61/62/63 (Dark Brown/Medium Green/Green-Gray) on the top side and RLM 65 Light blue on the underside.  Markings include "53 A13" on the sides of the fuselage (a large black "52" followed by a large white "A" and a large black "13").  On the tail is the classic pre-war red background on the top half with a black Swastika in a white circle.  At the very top of the tail are the small numbers "968".  This aircraft has silver propeller.   

The second aircraft is a Hs123A-1with 5./LG2 Belgium in 1940.  The paint scheme for this aircraft is RLM70/71 (Black Green/Dark Green) on the top side and RLM 65 Light blue on the underside.  Markings include "L2 EN" on the sides of the fuselage (a large black "L2" followed by a large red "E" and a large black "N").  Artwork on this aircraft is a white shield with a brown bear standing on it's hind legs swinging an axe at a closed umbrella.  This aircraft has RLM70 (Black Green) propeller.   

The third aircraft is a Hs123A-1with FFS Schule (A/B) 71 Possnitz, Moravia in 1941.  The paint scheme for this aircraft is RLM70/71 (Black Green/Dark Green) on the top side and RLM 65 Light blue on the underside.  Markings include "CB AF" on the sides of the fuselage (a large black "CB" followed by a large green "A" and a large black "F").  There is also a large yellow "21" on both sides of the fuselage in front of the cockpit.  This aircraft has RLM70 (Black Green) propeller. 

The fourth aircraft is a Hs123A-1with 4./SchG 2 on the Eastern Front in 1942.  The paint scheme for this aircraft is either RLM70 or RLM71 (Black Green or Dark Green) on the top side and RLM 65 Light blue on the underside.  There is a yellow band the rear of the fuselage.  Markings on the side of the rear fuselage include a black triangle and a large blue "0" with a thin white outline on the "0".  The large engine cowling ring is RLM 04 yellow.  On both sides of the fuselage in front of the cockpit is artwork of a white wreath with a white hunting rifle. 

The fifth aircraft is a Hs123A-1with 61st Squadron with the Spanish Air Force in 1945.  The paint scheme for this aircraft is overall silver top and bottom with a big black cross on the white rudder.  Markings include "1 50" on the rear sides of the fuselage in black.  Along the full length of both sides are medium blue lightning bolts.  

This aircraft is wearing the red/yellow Spanish roundels on the side of the fuselage and the underside of the top and bottom wings (bi-plane).  This aircraft has silver propeller.   

The decals were flawlessly printed and in perfect register and the clear carrier film is trimmed very close to the crisply printed colored areas.  The colours look good and will cover very well.  The decals are thin and should conform very well.

The instructions are clear and includes 4 view drawings.  I appreciate these instructions....they leave no questions.....all views of each aircraft are shown.

A very nice decal sheet and a a varied and welcome selection of decals for this Luftwaffe bi-plane.

I would like to thank AMtech for providing me with this review sample.

Steve

Click on images below to see larger images of the instruction sheets

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford