Cutting Edge Modelworks

1/48 Captured Allied Aircraft Zircus Rosarius Special Missions Part 1 decal sheet

Product # CED48256 for $8.99

Product Article by Steve Bamford on Apr 23 2004

 

 

 

This new decal sheet from Cutting Edge Modelworks includes markings for three different 1/48 captured Allied aircraft.  These aircraft include a Mosquito IVB, P-47D and a P-51B

During WW2, the Luftwaffe captured many Allied aircraft and repaired them into flying condition.  The Verschuchsverband (the Trials and Research Unit of the Luftwaffe High command) flew and assessed the capabilities of captured Allied fighters and toured these aircraft to various Luftwaffe fighter units as the 'Wanderzirkus Rosarius".  The aircraft tested by them included P-51's, P-38's, P-47's, Spitfires, Mosquitos and a Typhoon.  There were also one or more Spitfire that had it's nose removed and a Bf-109 nose and engine grafted onto the Spitfire......this gave the capture Spitfire a  very odd appearance.........some would say...."unattractive appearance".  

The B-17 was also flown to fighter bases to show the Luftwaffe pilots the strengths and weaknesses of the B-17...armour etc.  Captured B-17s flown by the Luftwaffe with KG 200 were used on secret night time missions to deliver agents behind enemy lines.  Reports of B-17's in US markings shadowing US formations were made, but often these were either lost bombers trying to find their way home or the bombers weren't close enough to be fully identified, so this mystery remains.  

The first aircraft is a Mosquito Mk IV B flown by 2./VVB OKL from Konigsberg, Neumark in July 1944.  This Mosquito was painted RLM 74 green on the topside and RLM 04 Yellow on the underside and tail.  Marking codes were T9 XB.

The second aircraft is a P-47D-2-RA with 2./VVB OKL out of Wunstorf in July 1944.  This aircraft was operated by the Beute-Zirkus Rosarius (Rosarius Traveling Circus under the command of Flugkapitan Rosarius).  This was one of 3 P-47's operated by Beute-Zirkus Rosarius to educate Luftwaffe pilots on flight characteristics of the P-47.  The paint scheme is RLM 74 green on the topside and RLM 04 Yellow on the underside and tail.  Code letters on the side in black are small "T9" and large "FK".

The third aircraft is a P-51B with 2./VVB OKL out of Neuruppin in late 1944.  This aircraft was used to train Hungarian FW-190 pilots on how to best use their aircraft against the Mustang.  Experienced pilots were also permitted to fly the Mustang.  The paint scheme on this Mustang is interesting.  A bare metal finish on the topside and the tail and underside was painted in RLM 04 yellow.  

The US markings were removed and Balkenkreuz (German Crosses) added along with a Swastika on the tail.  Code letters on the side in black are small "T9" and large "HK".  The prop spinner is yellow and there is a red band going around the front of the nose.  Anti-glare pane in front of the cockpit windscreen is olive drab.  

The decals were flawlessly printed and in perfect registration and the clear carrier film is trimmed very close to the crisply printed colored areas.  

The instructions are clear and includes 3 view drawings and an extra page of text instructions is included with a small bit of info about all 3 of the planes as well as helpful tips for decal application. 

A very nice decal sheet and highly recommended for anyone with an interest in captured Allied aircraft used by the Luftwaffe.

I would like to thank Cutting Edge Modelworks for providing me with this review sample.

Steve

Click on images below to see larger images of the instruction sheets

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford