No doubt, most of us have heard of Flightdecs and know well that they carry an extensive selection of decals from various
manufacturers around the world. Now, they carry their own brand as well. This sheet on 1/48 Canadian Hurricanes is the
second in their lineage of decals (the first covering Yugoslav jets) with the promise of more to come.
On this particular decal sheet, you are offered 3 different Hurricanes, each with a form of nose art. Two of the Hurricanes are from Canadian Home Defence Establishment squadrons, while the remainder from an RAF squadron, albeit flown by a Canadian.
I would rate the printing quality to be on par with the industry standard Micro Scale. The decals are thin, with perfect registration and good colour density and minimal carrier film. They also respond well to small amounts of Solvaset, the dreaded decal killer. I cannot comment on how they will react with other brands of setting solution, as I only use Solvaset. The colours of the decals look very accurate and solid. The stencils are well done and easily readable, which is a testimonial to the fidelity of the printing. Some of the national insignia are printed as multi-piece decals to allow the modeller to have the final say in terms of registration
As for the 3 schemes, I quote the following from the decal sheet.
1. Hurricane Mk.XII (Mk.IIB) of 135 Bulldog Squadron (Home Defence Establishment) was one of the units responsible for the defence of the West Coast of Canada from October 1942 until May of 1944 when the Hurricanes were replaced by Kittyhawk Mk.IV's. Note the 'bright' colour roundels as well as the Hamilton Standard 10'8" propeller with no spinner.
2. Hurricane Mk.IIC, 213 Squadron RAF. One of the Hurricanes flown by P/O Houle (RCAF) serving with 213 Squadron in the spring of 1942. 213 Squadron operated out of Edku, Egypt in the defence of the harbour at Alexandria. They painted their squadron hornet on the fuselage roundels of several of their machines.
3. Hurricane Mk.XII (Mk.IIB) of #13 Photo Squadron RCAF (Home Defence Establishment) was formed from #1 Photo Flight (RCAF), an experimental photo-reconnaissance unit sponsored by the RAF. Along with a varied collection of aircraft that included Ansons, Norseman, B-25's and Spitfires, the Hurricane was involved in the photo-mapping of Canada in 1944. The nose art was worn on the port side only of all aircraft of the unit. Note exhaust glare shields on cowling and non-standard fuselage roundels. Note this aircraft carried a non-standard camouflage scheme, which was unique to this unit's Hurricanes and Spitfires. The camouflage pattern shown is based on surviving photographs. Hamilton Standard 10'8" propeller with no spinner.
This decal sheet offers excellent value, for unlike some of the more mainstream companies, Flightdecs provides sufficient national insignia and stencils to model all three schemes. Nice touch Flightdecs! The colour instructions are excellent and even provide profiles of both sides of each subject and a complete upper surface camouflage pattern for each aircraft. These are the little things, that as a modeller, I really appreciate having in a decal package. This eliminates the quesswork, which comes with the one-sided, generic camo pattern decal instructions found in other brands.
This sheet is highly recommended and with a manufacturers suggested retail price of $15.89, it offers excellent value.
Review sample generously provided by Sky Grid
Reviewed by Randy Lutz C4650
On this particular decal sheet, you are offered 3 different Hurricanes, each with a form of nose art. Two of the Hurricanes are from Canadian Home Defence Establishment squadrons, while the remainder from an RAF squadron, albeit flown by a Canadian.
I would rate the printing quality to be on par with the industry standard Micro Scale. The decals are thin, with perfect registration and good colour density and minimal carrier film. They also respond well to small amounts of Solvaset, the dreaded decal killer. I cannot comment on how they will react with other brands of setting solution, as I only use Solvaset. The colours of the decals look very accurate and solid. The stencils are well done and easily readable, which is a testimonial to the fidelity of the printing. Some of the national insignia are printed as multi-piece decals to allow the modeller to have the final say in terms of registration
As for the 3 schemes, I quote the following from the decal sheet.
1. Hurricane Mk.XII (Mk.IIB) of 135 Bulldog Squadron (Home Defence Establishment) was one of the units responsible for the defence of the West Coast of Canada from October 1942 until May of 1944 when the Hurricanes were replaced by Kittyhawk Mk.IV's. Note the 'bright' colour roundels as well as the Hamilton Standard 10'8" propeller with no spinner.
2. Hurricane Mk.IIC, 213 Squadron RAF. One of the Hurricanes flown by P/O Houle (RCAF) serving with 213 Squadron in the spring of 1942. 213 Squadron operated out of Edku, Egypt in the defence of the harbour at Alexandria. They painted their squadron hornet on the fuselage roundels of several of their machines.
3. Hurricane Mk.XII (Mk.IIB) of #13 Photo Squadron RCAF (Home Defence Establishment) was formed from #1 Photo Flight (RCAF), an experimental photo-reconnaissance unit sponsored by the RAF. Along with a varied collection of aircraft that included Ansons, Norseman, B-25's and Spitfires, the Hurricane was involved in the photo-mapping of Canada in 1944. The nose art was worn on the port side only of all aircraft of the unit. Note exhaust glare shields on cowling and non-standard fuselage roundels. Note this aircraft carried a non-standard camouflage scheme, which was unique to this unit's Hurricanes and Spitfires. The camouflage pattern shown is based on surviving photographs. Hamilton Standard 10'8" propeller with no spinner.
This decal sheet offers excellent value, for unlike some of the more mainstream companies, Flightdecs provides sufficient national insignia and stencils to model all three schemes. Nice touch Flightdecs! The colour instructions are excellent and even provide profiles of both sides of each subject and a complete upper surface camouflage pattern for each aircraft. These are the little things, that as a modeller, I really appreciate having in a decal package. This eliminates the quesswork, which comes with the one-sided, generic camo pattern decal instructions found in other brands.
This sheet is highly recommended and with a manufacturers suggested retail price of $15.89, it offers excellent value.
Review sample generously provided by Sky Grid
Reviewed by Randy Lutz C4650