Spada Decals

1/72 or 1/48 or 1/32 or 1/24 Sopwith Camels "In foreign hands" decal sheet

product # CLL-SoCam-08 for €9 (Euros)

Review by Steve Bamford on Nov 7 2008

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This new decal sheet from Spada Decals focuses on the Sopwith Camel and it includes markings for 4 different 1/32 Sopwith Camels "In foreign hands" : German, Red Russian and Latvian during WW1.  This sheet is also available in 1/72, 1/48 and 1/24.  

The 4 aircraft include:

  • Captured Sopwith Camel, Jasta 26b, flown by Otto Kissenberth in April-May 1918.  This aircraft was captured from 5Sqn (RN).  Kissenberth shot down an S.E.5 with this aircraft (his 20th Victory) on May 16 1918.

  • This Sopwith Camel was undoubtedly captured by "Red" Russians  Pilot might have been Boris Waynoff.

  • Sopwith Camel #9 was an aircraft that was captured after WW1.  This aircraft was lost when the pilot attempted to fly under a bridge.

  • Latvian Camels might have been painted with AMA.  The standard RAF dark brown camo in 1919, but it seems possible that some aircraft were overpainted with a kind of metal coat.  

You get a colourful and attractive variety of aircraft in the wood and big markings from this time period.  You can pay €13 (Euros) for this decal sheet and get addition wood grain decals which would probably be a big help finishing off the wood grain finish on the fuselages on these aircraft.  These decals are printed on 3 sheets of decal film much like decals printed on an ALPS printer, so you will need to cut each decal from the backing paper with the use of sharp X-acto knife.  The decals don't seem to be delicate as some of the decal from other manufactures can be.  More about using these decals can be found further down in this review.

Spada Decals also has wood grain decals to assist you in building your WW1 fighter.

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

The instructions are in English and do include info about the markings and paint schemes on each particular aircraft.  You get one side profile of each aircraft with top and bottom wing views of all 3 aircraft.  The decals are nice quality and printed on 2 decal sheets.  This decal sheet will permit you to make 1 of the 4 different aircraft featured on this decal sheet.  

Here's some instructions from the Spada Decals website regarding using and installing their decals.

How to use "Laser Line" decals :

  • 1- Using a new scalpel blade, cut as closely as possible around the motives chosen, exercising only a small pressure in order to cut the decal film but not the paper underneath. This can be done quite safely, with no danger to slip away, provided you stay calm and contentrated.

  • 2- Separate the motive and its paper background from the decal sheet, taking care not to damage the other motives. 

  • 3- Put the decal on water, with the motive on the upper side. It is not necessary to cover it with water.

  • 4- Let the paper soak water for some 20 seconds or the time necessary according to the water used (tepid water). With some practice, this can be determined quite accurately.

  • 5- Remove the decal from water and delicately take it away from its paper background, preferably with tweezers.

  • 6- Softly put the decal on your model after the latter's surface has been carefully prepared, put it in the correct place and slightly press it with a soft cloth or absorbing paper.

A few useful details :

  • 1- test your softening liquid before using it. We have tested our decals with several brands that are available on the market but we haven't tried every one of them. In theory, it is not necessary to varnish decals before they are used.

  • 2- It is possible for you to enhance the sticking power of a decal using a specific product (e.g. Blue Microscale). It is also possible for you to dilute white glue into water and to put a drop of it under the decal or on the plastic part before the decal is set on your model.

I always find it very interesting seeing captured aircraft in foreign markings, so this decal sheet is very interesting. 

The crispness of the printing of these decals will please even the most discriminating modeller.

Steve

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

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford