This new decal sheet from Spada Decals focuses on the Sopwith Camel and it includes markings for 3 different 1/32 Sopwith Camels in service with No 3 Naval Sqdn. & 112 Sqdn. in 1971 and 1918 during WW1.  One of the planes was flown by a Canadian.  This sheet is also available in 1/72, 1/48 and 1/24. 

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 2 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.

The planes included on this decal sheet are the following:

• Sopwith Camel B64010F No. 3 Naval Squadron RNAS Bray Dunes Aerodrome at the beginning of 1918.  This aircraft was flown by Canadian Lloyd S. Breadner.  On the top side of the rear fuselage is a green maple leaf with the Kings Crown in glorious full colour.  Markings include a King of Diamonds playing card and a red engine cowling and red/white/blue tail.  This aircraft has wood grain on the fuselage around the cockpit, so the wood grain decals in the Combo decal set for an extra €4 (Euros) would be a big advantage.  

• Sopwith F.1 Camel with 112 Squadron, Royal Air Force, Throwley, Kent in August 1918.  Markings include a white Swastika on the tail along with red/white/blue stripes on the rudder.  

• Sopwith Camel B3781 flown by FSL W P Ellwood, No 3 Naval Squadron in August of 1917.  Markings include a big red heart on the side of the fuselage and red/white/blue stripes on the rudder.  This aircraft has wood grain on the fuselage around the cockpit, so the wood grain decals in the Combo decal set for an extra €4 (Euros) would be a big advantage.

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

Click on images below to see larger images

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.

The Sopwith Camel was the plan that most people think of when they thing of British planes that flew during the Great War.  This sheet is an eye opener for me as I didn't realise the British had such colourful markings on their aircraft during WW1. 

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.