Recently released by Aviaeology is decal sheet AOD48001 on Anti-submarine Warfare Liberators, Part 1: Canadian Sub
Hunters, which is targeted towards the Monogram 1/48 B-24D Liberator. It features markings for four different aircraft,
all of which are finished in the Temperate Sea Scheme of Dark Slate Grey and Extra Dark Sea Grey over white.
Markings are provided for the following Liberators:
1. Liberator GR.V (Can), 586-A, 10 (BR) Squadron, Eastern Air Command, RCAF, late summer 1943. This machine was based at Gander Newfoundland and on September 19, 1943 F/L Fisher and crew sank U-341 while on convoy escort and in this same aircraft, F/L Aldwinkle and crew sank U-420 on October 26, 1943.
2. Liberator GR.V (Can), 595-X, 10 (BR) Squadron, Eastern Air Command, RCAF, January 1944. This Liberator was based at Gander Newfoundland and it was in this machine that F/L Martin and crew engaged U-boats U-377 and U-402 while on convoy escort during September of 1943.
3. Liberator GR.V (Can), 600-N, 10 (BR) Squadron RCAF, Summer of 1943. As with the two previous aircraft, this Liberator was also based at Gander and it was in this aircraft that F/O Cirko and crew engaged an unidentified U-boat in September of 1943. This Liberator was later converted to the dumbo configuration and sported a pin-up by the name of NANNETTE, while assigned to the North West Air Command in the summer of 1945.
4. Liberator GR.V, BZ792-G, 224 Squadron RAF, Summer of 1944, while based at St. Eval in the UK in June of 1944. It was in this aircraft that F/L K.O. Moore (RCAF) and crew sank U-373 and U-441 during the same sortie while on a "Cork" patrol in support of the D-Day landings.
This is more than just a set of decals, as the instruction booklet has full colour profiles and plan views with extensive modelling notes for each aircraft and detailed drawings showing the rocket installation and stencil locations. In addition, a general history on the Anti-submarine Warfare Liberator is included and the usage of the Leigh Light and Depth Charges, Torpedoes and Rocket Projectiles. This is the kind of extra information, which greatly increases the usefulness of the decals.
While there is no printer's logo on the decals, they appear to be of Micro Scale quality and have perfect registration. The only fault I could find and it was a very small fault indeed, was the fact that there are only enough national insignia for one aircraft.
I suspect that having read this far, you are probably saying to yourself, "ya the decals are nice, but how am I to model an ASW Liberator?" Well do not despair as Belcher Bits has the necessary parts to enable you to create your own ASW Lib. All you need are Belcher Bits sets BB11 (250lb depth charges and aerial mine), BB16 (radomes and Leigh Light) and BB20 (Mk.24 Torpedoes and sonobuoys).
Overall, a very nice decal package and a bargain at $12.79.
Review sample provided by SkyGrid/Aviaeology
Reviewed by Randy Lutz C4650
1. Liberator GR.V (Can), 586-A, 10 (BR) Squadron, Eastern Air Command, RCAF, late summer 1943. This machine was based at Gander Newfoundland and on September 19, 1943 F/L Fisher and crew sank U-341 while on convoy escort and in this same aircraft, F/L Aldwinkle and crew sank U-420 on October 26, 1943.
2. Liberator GR.V (Can), 595-X, 10 (BR) Squadron, Eastern Air Command, RCAF, January 1944. This Liberator was based at Gander Newfoundland and it was in this machine that F/L Martin and crew engaged U-boats U-377 and U-402 while on convoy escort during September of 1943.
3. Liberator GR.V (Can), 600-N, 10 (BR) Squadron RCAF, Summer of 1943. As with the two previous aircraft, this Liberator was also based at Gander and it was in this aircraft that F/O Cirko and crew engaged an unidentified U-boat in September of 1943. This Liberator was later converted to the dumbo configuration and sported a pin-up by the name of NANNETTE, while assigned to the North West Air Command in the summer of 1945.
4. Liberator GR.V, BZ792-G, 224 Squadron RAF, Summer of 1944, while based at St. Eval in the UK in June of 1944. It was in this aircraft that F/L K.O. Moore (RCAF) and crew sank U-373 and U-441 during the same sortie while on a "Cork" patrol in support of the D-Day landings.
This is more than just a set of decals, as the instruction booklet has full colour profiles and plan views with extensive modelling notes for each aircraft and detailed drawings showing the rocket installation and stencil locations. In addition, a general history on the Anti-submarine Warfare Liberator is included and the usage of the Leigh Light and Depth Charges, Torpedoes and Rocket Projectiles. This is the kind of extra information, which greatly increases the usefulness of the decals.
While there is no printer's logo on the decals, they appear to be of Micro Scale quality and have perfect registration. The only fault I could find and it was a very small fault indeed, was the fact that there are only enough national insignia for one aircraft.
I suspect that having read this far, you are probably saying to yourself, "ya the decals are nice, but how am I to model an ASW Liberator?" Well do not despair as Belcher Bits has the necessary parts to enable you to create your own ASW Lib. All you need are Belcher Bits sets BB11 (250lb depth charges and aerial mine), BB16 (radomes and Leigh Light) and BB20 (Mk.24 Torpedoes and sonobuoys).
Overall, a very nice decal package and a bargain at $12.79.
Review sample provided by SkyGrid/Aviaeology
Reviewed by Randy Lutz C4650