On Target Special 3
Wings of Silver Pt. 1

Model Alliance Decals, 1/72 & 1/48

Reviewed by Rodger Kelly

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Squadron.com

Hot off the presses from Model Alliance Decals is a pair of new sheets in their “On Target Special” range that provide markings for “between the wars” Royal Air Force biplanes.  As you would expect given the title, all of the options on the sheet are finished in the “silver dope” and polished metal scheme that were punctuated with colourful squadron markings. 

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This sheet (MA-156) provides markings for ten machines in all the details of which are as follows:

• Sopwith 7F.1 Snipe E7538 flown by a Flight Lieutenant West, of 19 Squadron RAF, from Royal Air Force Station Duxford in the December of 1924.

• Hawker Fury I K5682 of Advance Training Flight, RAF College, at Royal Air Force Station Cranwell, in 1936

• Hawker Fury II, K7270 flown by Squadron Leader A.L. ‘Tony’ Paxton of 25 Squadron RAF, at Royal Air Force Station Hawkinge, in 1936.

• Hawker Fury II K7266, 41 Squadron RAF, at Royal Air Force Station Catterick, in 1938

• Bristol F.2B Mk. II, H1492, 'A' Flight, 208 Squadron RAF, at Royal Air Force Station Ismailia, Egypt in 1924

• Bristol Bulldog Mk. IIa K1676, flown by Pilot Officer Douglas R.S. Bader of 23 Squadron RAF, at Royal Air Force Station Kenley, in December 1931

• Bristol Bulldog Mk. II J9574, 3 Squadron RAF, at Royal Air Force Station Upavon, in 1929

• Gloster Gauntlet K7890 151 Squadron RAF, at Royal Air Force Station North Weald, in 1937

• Gloster Gauntlet II K7862, 74 Squadron RAF at Royal Air Force Station Hornchurch, in 1938

• Gloster Gladiator I K6147, 3 Squadron RAF, at Royal Air Force Station Kenley, in 1937

The decals have been produced by the Fantasy Printshop.  They are very thin and have a minimum of carrier film around each subject which bodes well as they are destined for application over a silver paint finish that is known to easily show up carrier film.  The colours are all very vibrant and the register is truly amazing with all of the intricate squadron insignia in perfect register – even the tiny Squadron Leader’s pennant worn by the 25 Squadron option – you can actually read the ‘25’ numerals on the pennant under very strong magnification.  Having said that though for some reason the 74 Squadron markings have been printed as two-part decals.  The sheet itself is very large, measuring 8½" wide x 12"high and there is very little space left on it, given this no national insignia are provided and Model Alliance advises that these are available on a separate sheet in there decal range (MAS-489033).

The placement guide comes in the form of a ten page booklet (6¾" wide x 8¼" high) that provides a separate page for each option.  Each page holds four view full colour illustrations of each machine as well as information as to what kits are available of the machine in both 1/72 and 1/48 scales as well as matches of the colours to readily available model paints – Humbrol, Xtracolour, xtracrylic, Lifecolour, Model Master, and Alclad.

The decal sheet and the placement guide booklet come packed in a clear plastic zip-loc bag.

This is a great sheet from Model Alliance Decals.  It provides you with beautifully printed decals for very colourful pre-war machines of the Royal Air Force.

The sheet is also available in 1/72 scale.

Footnote:

The information for the aircraft on the sheet (as well as 48-157) has been taken from the Aviation Workshop publication “Wings of Silver - RAF Fighters 1919 – 1939” written by Mike Starmer and illustrated by Peter Freeman.

Thanks to Aviation Workshop / Model Alliance (UK)  for the review sample

Model Alliance products are available online from the Aviation Workshop.

Review Copyright © 2011 by Rodger Kelly
Page Created 8 April, 2011
Last updated 8 April, 2011

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