Lifelike Decals

1/72 Supermarine Spitfire Part 4 decal sheet

Product # 72-024 for Approx $13.00

Product Article by Floyd S. Werner, Jr. on Mar 5 2013

 

 

This sheet from Lifelike Decals is designed to be used on either the 1/72nd scale Airfix, Italeri, Revell, Tamiya Spitfire Mk.Vb and the Heller Spitfire Mk. XVI using the rounded wing tips.  The paint schemes are quite distinctive and unique.  The various color schemes are from WWII and modern day.  

The instuctions are printed on two 8x10 sheets.  The front has the profile views and the pilot’s name.  The backside of this page has the stencils callout for the Spitfire.  The other sheet includes the profile view of the four aircraft and the history and color callouts.  One of the things I like about Lifelike is that they provide you the information that they used to make the color determination.  You can either agree or disagree but you at least have the information. 

The decals are printed in perfect register and suitably thin.  There are two sheets of decals.  The largest of them contains all the information with the exception of the nose art and white backing pieces.  The other smaller sheet contains personal markings with the full color markings of the “Impatient Virgin” and the Bader emblem. 

 

Click on images below to see larger images

The first aircraft is one used by Air Chief Marshall Sir James Robb in a darker blue than the one on 72.006.  The overall dark blue color makes this one quite unique and the size of the model will make this model stand out on the contest table. 

The second aircraft is the personal mount of Douglas Bader.  Initially thought to be a Mk.Va but it was in fact an Mk.II.  This is the aircraft that he collided with a 109 and became a prisoner of war.  A very historically important aircraft and the dark green and earth brown camouflage is typical for the period.  Of course, he has the boot kicking Hitler over a symbol of Europe. 

The third aircraft comes with stars and bars and nose art.  The “Impatient Virgin” is the second aircraft of F/O Montgomery.  This one features a beautiful pinup.  The first “Impatient Virgin” is on sheet 72-023.  The other neat thing is the way Lifelike has the two different toned blues on the US insignia where the red was over painted by the insignia blue. The markings are slightly discolored adding visual interest.  As if the Dark Earth and Middlestone paint scheme wasn’t enough. 

The final aircraft represents a Spitfire Mk.VVI as flown since 1997 by BAC Aviation.  It is quite colorful with a silver overall with red stripes on the fuselage and wings and black codes.  

The wonderful research and perfectly printed decals make this a natural selection for even the most ardent Spitfire boffin.  Having the ability to use it on at least two aircraft minus the extra stencils, you’ll have to use the kit stencils, makes this a good value for the modeler.  

Highly recommended 

Thanks to Lifelike for the review copy.  To get your copy you will have to contact them at http://www16.ocn.ne.jp/~lifelike/ .  Let them know that I sent you.

Floyd S. Werner, Jr. IPMS# 26266

      

Photos and text © by Floyd S. Werner, Jr. IPMS# 26266