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In-Box Review
Fw 190D Decals
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by: Rowan Baylis [ MERLIN ]

The recent release of Eduard's 1:48 Fw 190D-9, coupled with the completion of Eagle Editions's own massive 2-part study of the Dora has placed the aircraft firmly in the spotlight for modellers and Luftwaffe enthusiasts like never before.

With such a wealth of material to draw on, Eagle Editions are in a probably unrivalled position when it comes to designing decals for the Fw 190D, and they've released a very timely trio of EagleCals sheets in all three major modelling scales, each taken from Vol. 2 of Jerry Crandall's books.

EC#124 features 5 x Doras:
1. Fw 190D-9, <- -, flown by Hans Ulrich Rudel, Geschwaderkommodore SG2, Großenhain, Germany, April 1945
2. Fw 190D-9 "Black 4", W.Nr. 500576, II./JG 301, Wunsdorf, Germany
3. Fw 190D-9 "White 1", W.Nr. 601033, 1./JG 26, Hustedt, Germany, April 1945
4. Fw 190D-11 "White 57", W.Nr. 22001?, 1./JG 101?, Schongau, Germany, May 1945
5. Fw 190D-11 "White 53", W.Nr. 2200?, VFS of G.d.J, Bad Wörishofen, Germany

EC#125 features 4 x Doras:
1. Fw 190D-9, W.Nr. 211??1, captured by the USSR, Marienburg, Germany, Spring 1945
2. Fw 190D-9 "Black 4", W.Nr. 400271, III./JG 2, Großostheim, Germany, May 1945
3. Fw 190D-9 "White 16", II./JG 301, Stendal?, Germany, May 1945
4. Fw 190D-9 "White 15", W.Nr. 600651, Straubing, Germany, May 1945

EC#126 features 4 x Doras:
1. Fw 190D-9 "Brown 4", W.Nr. 500647, 7./JG 26, Hustedt, Germany, May 1945
2. Fw 190D-9 "White 13", W.Nr. 210982, 1./JG 26, Hustedt, Germany, April 1945
3. Fw 190D-13 "<<", W.Nr. 836016, Pilsen, Czechoslovakia, May 1945
4. Fw 190D-9 "White 52", W.Nr. 90????, 1./JG 101?, Schongau, Germany, May 1945

The schemes are accompanied by a brief, but detailed, description that points out notable features of the particular aircraft, along with its camouflage and markings. There's a very interesting selection of Doras on offer, with a good variety of camouflage types and both painted and part-n/m undersides, and a real odd-ball for anyone wanting an extra challenge; "Brown 4" on EC#126 features a Ta 152 tail.

The printing on each of the sample sheets is faultless - hardly surprising as they are custom produced for Eagle Editions by Cartograf, who have earned an enviable reputation for the quality of their work. The registration is spot on, and the carrier film on the thin, glossy items is crystal-clear.

A comprehensive set of stencil markings is provided (sufficient for one aircraft on each sheet), along with a placement guide. The clarity of the stencilling is superb - it's legible in even 1:72. Having just built the quarterscale Eduard 'D-9 I was interested to compare the stencilling with the kit's items, which in some cases seemed too large; similar stencils on the EC sheets are smaller, and the set also includes some items missed in the kit, such as propeller markings and undercarriage data-plates.

MRPs are as follows: 1:72 - $11.00, 1:48 - $15.00, 1:32 - $17.50. EagleCals are available direct from Eagle Editions and good model shops worldwide.
Conclusion
EagleCals new Dora sheets are excellent - beautifully printed and meticulously researched. Obviously, they're timed perfectly to coincide with the renewed interest generated by Eduard's series of kits, but they will also open up exciting new schemes for the established models in each scale. Recommended.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.
SUMMARY
Highs: A nice variety of subject aircraft. Excellent printing backed up by detailed instructions.
Lows:
Verdict: Whether it's for alternative markings, or simply as higher quality decals than those included with most kits, EagleCals are an excellent addition to Doras in any of the main aircraft scales.
Percentage Rating
90%
  Scale: Other
  Mfg. ID: See Text
  Suggested Retail: See Text
  PUBLISHED: Mar 30, 2010
  NATIONALITY: Germany
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 88.37%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 89.86%

Our Thanks to Eagle Editions Ltd.!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Rowan Baylis (Merlin)
FROM: NO REGIONAL SELECTED, UNITED KINGDOM

I've been modelling for about 40 years, on and off. While I'm happy to build anything, my interests lie primarily in 1/48 scale aircraft. I mostly concentrate on WW2 subjects, although I'm also interested in WW1, Golden Age aviation and the early Jet Age - and have even been known to build the occas...

Copyright ©2021 text by Rowan Baylis [ MERLIN ]. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AeroScale. All rights reserved.



Comments

as a dry run ahead of a D-11 conversion here's the old Italeri D-9 in 72 scale finished as 'black 4' of II./JG 301 from EagleCals sheet 124. Decals worked perfectly including the spinner spiral! Nice wing walkway markings and plenty of beautifully reproduced stencils. The sheet includes artwork and full colour info with very helpful upper and lower surface views. This particular machine has an 83/82/75 scheme with 81 tailfin mottle, a 76 rudder and a fuselage in the green 76 with lower surfaces in aluminium and grey 75 including the gear doors !
MAY 29, 2010 - 10:30 AM
WOW Neil, great work there. In the right scale too! Decals look great. Russell
MAY 29, 2010 - 10:47 AM
Great looking Dora Neil. Eagle Cals are the best I have worked with and use them as much as possible on my models. We spend so much time building and painting our models why take a chance ruining them with poor quality decals, Eagle Cals are of very good quality and have always given me that ''painted on'' look. Matrixone
MAY 29, 2010 - 12:51 PM
thanks guys..sorry about the poor quality pic..heavy grey skies here all weekend! I agree Les. Knowing that the decals are going to go on flawlessly takes the stress out of the home straight ! cheers Neil
MAY 29, 2010 - 11:36 PM
MAY 30, 2010 - 02:12 AM
Thank you for the additional pictures. My FW-190D from Tamiya had the yellow and red Reich Defense Bands and a yellow set, dumb bunny here tore them though and I reverted to an older set of black and white bands from an Airfix kit! Ha ha. Again, just great work. Thanks for letting us see. Russell
MAY 30, 2010 - 06:56 AM
thanks Russell ! This Eagle sheet didn't have any fuselage bands, but I used thin tape so painting them wasn't too tricky..the spinner spiral went on so well perhaps they should do fuselage bands !
MAY 31, 2010 - 03:54 AM
Hi Neil Very neat! Really nice job on the camo and, as you say, the decals look great. I'm looking forward to seeing the 'D-11. All the best Rowan
MAY 31, 2010 - 04:13 AM
I agree Neil. They should produce the bands for the fuselage. It would be easier than painting the colors on, which you did a splendid job doing I would add. Someone should produce just the different JG fuselage bands in decal sheets, I bet it would sell well. Russell
MAY 31, 2010 - 01:56 PM
   
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