After years of being unfairly overlooked by mainstream producers, Dornier’s famous “Flying Pencil” is now firmly back in the spotlight with an excellent new-tool 1:72 Do 17Z from Airfix, and ICM firmly underway on a whole series of Do 17/Do 215 kits in 1:48.

So Delta One have timed it perfectly to produce high quality decals covering Croatian Air Legion Do 17Zs. The set is available initially in 1:72 and aimed at the Airfix kit (plus, of course, the vintage Monogram and Revell offerings), and Delta One plan to release a 1:48 sheet as soon as the ICM Do 17Z is available.

The decals themselves are beautifully printed. The sample set boasts excellent registration, and the items are thin and glossy, with crystal clear carrier film.

The set includes markings for no less than seven colour schemes.:

1. Dornier Do-17Z-2, WNr. 3443, 10./KG3 '5K BU', Wyazma-Gradina airfield,
January 1942.
2. Dornier Do-17Z-2, WNr. unknown, 7./KG3 '5K MR', Wyazma-Gradina airfield,
December 1941.
3. Dornier Do-17Z-3, WNr.2895, 15. (Kroatisch)/KG53 'AI AZ',
Gostkino airfield, September 1942.
4. Dornier Do-17Z-2, WNr.2789, 15. (Kroatisch)/KG53 'AI DZ',
Butmir airfield, June 1943.
5. Dornier Do-17Z-2, WNr. unknown, 15. (Kroatisch)/KG53 'AI FZ',
Borongaj airfield, June 1943.
6. Dornier Do-17Z-3, WNr. unknown, 3. Zrakoplovno jato ZNDH '402',
Borongaj airfield, May 1945.
7. Dornier Do-17Z-5, WNr.2899, l./KGr.Kroatien 'Z8 AH', Borongaj airfield,
July 1944.

In fact, the sheet goes way beyond the seven featured aircraft, because it also includes extra codes and markings to allow you to finish almost any Croatian Do 17Z (but, of course, you'll need your own references for subjects beyond the scope of the present set).

The instructions take the form of a nicely produced 6-page A5 pamphlet, which begins with a useful overview of the history of the Croatian Air Legion and its service within and alongside the Luftwaffe. Each colour scheme is described in some detail, and illustrated with a full 3-view colour drawing, augmented by views of the spinners and the undersides of the wingtips.

Delta One's website is still currently under construction, but you can order their decals direct through the following e-mail address:

[email protected]

The price for the Croatian Do 17Zs in 1:72 is just £7.00, with the price for the forthcoming 1:48 sheet predicted to be around £10.00.

Conclusion

This is an excellent package that offers some really attractive alternatives to the standard Luftwaffe subjects. This is a limited edition set, so don't hang about if you want to avoid disappointment. Recommended.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.