Cutting Edge Modelworks

1/72 Captured Allied Aircraft Zircus Rosarius Special Missions decal sheet

Product # CED72114 for $8.99

Product Article by Steve Bamford on Apr 22 2004

 

 

 

This new decal sheet from Cutting Edge Modelworks includes markings for six  different 1/72 captured Allied aircraft.  These aircraft include a Mosquito IVB, three P-47D's and two P-51B

During WW2, the Luftwaffe captured many Allied aircraft and repaired them into flying condition.  The Verschuchsverband (the Trials and Research Unit of the Luftwaffe High command) flew and assessed the capabilities of captured Allied fighters and toured these aircraft to various Luftwaffe fighter units as the 'Wanderzirkus Rosarius".  The aircraft tested by them included P-51's, P-38's, P-47's, Spitfires, Mosquitos and a Typhoon.  There were also one or more Spitfire that had it's nose removed and a Bf-109 nose and engine grafted onto the Spitfire......this gave the capture Spitfire a  very odd appearance.........some would say...."unattractive appearance".  

The B-17 was also flown to fighter bases to show the Luftwaffe pilots the strengths and weaknesses of the B-17...armour etc.  Captured B-17s flown by the Luftwaffe with KG 200 were used on secret night time missions to deliver agents behind enemy lines.  Reports of B-17's in US markings shadowing US formations were made, but often these were either lost bombers trying to find their way home or the bombers weren't close enough to be fully identified, so this mystery remains.  

The first aircraft is a Mosquito Mk IV B flown by 2./VVB OKL from Konigsberg, Neumark in July 1944.  This Mosquito was painted RLM 74 green on the topside and RLM 04 Yellow on the underside and tail.  Marking codes were T9 XB.

The second aircraft is a P-47D-2-RA with 2./VVB OKL out of Wunstorf in July 1944.  This aircraft was operated by the Beute-Zirkus Rosarius (Rosarius Traveling Circus under the command of Flugkapitan Rosarius).  This was one of 3 P-47's operated by Beute-Zirkus Rosarius to educate Luftwaffe pilots on flight characteristics of the P-47.  The paint scheme is RLM 74 green on the topside and RLM 04 Yellow on the underside and tail.  Code letters on the side in black are small "T9" and large "FK".

The third aircraft is a P-51B with 2./VVB OKL out of Neuruppin in late 1944.  This aircraft was used to train Hungarian FW-190 pilots on how to best use their aircraft against the Mustang.  Experienced pilots were also permitted to fly the Mustang.  The paint scheme on this Mustang is interesting.  A bare metal finish on the topside and the tail and underside was painted in RLM 04 yellow.  

The US markings were removed and Balkenkreuz (German Crosses) added along with a Swastika on the tail.  Code letters on the side in black are small "T9" and large "HK".  The prop spinner is yellow and there is a red band going around the front of the nose.  Anti-glare pane in front of the cockpit windscreen is olive drab.  

The fourth aircraft is a P-47D-2-RA in US markings flown by 2nd Lt.  William Roach of the 358th FS, 355th FG.  This aircraft was flying fighter protection for some bombers on Nov 7 1943.  The fighter protection was to be carried out in relay fashion by 283 P-47's from the 56th, 78th, 352nd, 353rd, 355th and 356th Fighter Groups.  This particular P-47 belonged to 358th FS, 355th Fighter Group.  They flew their escort mission, but the next batch of fighters from the 353rd was delayed due to weather from taking over protection for the bombers.  The 355th's P-47's continued on and eventually 5 of the 6 planes failed to return....mainly due to lack of fuel.  2nd Lt.  William Roach made an emergency landing thinking he was over southern England.....only to be surprised by guns and German uniforms at an airfield in France.  He spent the rest of the war as a POW at Stalag Luft 1.  For the paint scheme this aircraft is over all Olive Drab on top and Neutral Grey on the underside.  Nose art consists of a human character with 2 legs and 4 arms carrying a large gun and the name "Beetle" under the artwork.  This aircraft has a white nose cowling ring and a white horizontal stripe across the tail.  US national markings on the fuselage are bordered in red.  On the side of the fuselage are the code letters "YF U" and on the tail are the yellow #'s 222490.

The fifth aircraft is a P-47D-2-RA formerly flown by 2nd Lt.  William Roach of the 358th FS, 355th FG.  This is his aircraft after it was captured and the US markings were painted over with German national insignias.  RLM 74 green was used to paint over the US markings....then the Germans markings were applied over the RLM 74 Green.  This plane also has a RLM 04 yellow rudder and engine cowl ring at the very front of the engine cowling.  The top of the engine cowling should be painted Yellow RLM 04 and the instructions are a bit inaccurate in this regard or perhaps the artist researching this decal sheet had a different photo from a different day than the photos I have (see below).  For the paint scheme this aircraft is over all Olive Drab on top and Neutral Grey on the underside.  Nose art consists of a human character with 2 legs and 4 arms carrying a large gun and the name "Beetle" under the artwork.  This aircraft still maintains a bit of it's white nose cowling ring to preserve the original noseart and the white horizontal stripe across the tail has been painted over as have the yellow serial numbers on the tail. 

Above photos show a slight inaccuracy in the instruction sheet.

The sixth aircraft is a P-51B with 2./VVB OKL out of Wunstorf in the summer of 1944.  The paint scheme on this Mustang typical for captured aircraft operated by the Luftwaffe.  The paint scheme is RLM 74 green on the topside and RLM 04 Yellow on the underside and tail.  Code letters on the side in white are small "T9" and large black letters "CK".  

The decals were flawlessly printed and the clear carrier film is trimmed very close to the crisply printed colored areas.  The artwork for Beetle is clear and in perfect registration.

The instructions are clear and includes 3 view drawings and an extra page of text instructions is included with a small bit of info about 4 of the planes as well as helpful tips for decal application. 

A very nice decal sheet and highly recommended for anyone with an interest in captured Allied aircraft used by the Luftwaffe.

I would like to thank Cutting Edge Modelworks 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