This sheet
from Lifelike
Decals is designed to be
used on either the 1/72nd scale Airfix, Italeri, Revell, Tamiya Spitfire
Mk.Vb and the Heller Spitfire Mk. XVI using the rounded wing tips.
The paint schemes are quite distinctive and unique. The various
color schemes are from WWII and modern day.
The
instuctions are printed on two 8x10 sheets. The front has the
profile views and the pilot’s name. The backside of this page has
the stencils callout for the Spitfire. The other sheet includes the
profile view of the four aircraft and the history and color callouts.
One of the things I like about Lifelike is that they provide you the
information that they used to make the color determination. You can
either agree or disagree but you at least have the information.
The decals are
printed in perfect register and suitably thin. There are two sheets
of decals. The largest of them contains all the information with the
exception of the nose art and white backing pieces. The other
smaller sheet contains personal markings with the full color markings of
the “Impatient Virgin” and the Bader emblem.
Click on
images below to see larger images
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The first
aircraft is one used by Air Chief Marshall Sir James Robb in a darker blue
than the one on 72.006. The overall dark blue color makes this one
quite unique and the size of the model will make this model stand out on
the contest table.
The second
aircraft is the personal mount of Douglas Bader. Initially thought
to be a Mk.Va but it was in fact an Mk.II. This is the aircraft that
he collided with a 109 and became a prisoner of war. A very
historically important aircraft and the dark green and earth brown
camouflage is typical for the period. Of course, he has the boot
kicking Hitler over a symbol of Europe.
The third
aircraft comes with stars and bars and nose art. The “Impatient
Virgin” is the second aircraft of F/O Montgomery. This one
features a beautiful pinup. The first “Impatient Virgin” is on
sheet 72-023. The other neat thing is the way Lifelike has the two
different toned blues on the US insignia where the red was over painted by
the insignia blue. The markings are slightly discolored adding visual
interest. As if the Dark Earth and Middlestone paint scheme wasn’t
enough.
The final
aircraft represents a Spitfire Mk.VVI as flown since 1997 by BAC Aviation.
It is quite colorful with a silver overall with red stripes on the
fuselage and wings and black codes.
The wonderful
research and perfectly printed decals make this a natural selection for
even the most ardent Spitfire boffin. Having the ability to use it
on at least two aircraft minus the extra stencils, you’ll have to use
the kit stencils, makes this a good value for the modeler.
Highly
recommended
Thanks to
Lifelike for the review copy. To get your copy you will have to
contact them at http://www16.ocn.ne.jp/~lifelike/
. Let them know that I sent you.
Floyd
S. Werner, Jr. IPMS# 26266
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