Stormo! have released the second installment in their decal series covering the Bf 109s flown by Italian aces. While Part I concentrated solely on the Regia Aeronautica, Part II features '109s from both the Regia Aeronautica and the ANR.

The quality and presentation are once again excellent, with the decals custom-printed by one of the industry leaders, Cartograf. The registration is perfect on the sample sheets, and the thin glossy items have great colour density and minimal , crystal-clear, carrier film.

The sheet is available in both 1:48 and 1:32, with the same selection of colour schemes in both scales. The only difference is that in 1:48 there is space on the sheet for a comprehensive set of maintenance stencils, including alternative red or black wing-walk markings.

The actual colour schemes features are as follows:
1. Bf 109G-14, flown by Magg. Carlo Miani, Nucleo Commando, II Gruppo Caccia, Aviano, Feb. 1945
2. Bf 109G-6, flown by Cap. Ugo Drago, 1ª Squadriglia, II Gruppo Caccia, Aviano, Nov. 1944
3. Bf 109G-10/R3, flown by Serg.Magg. Loris Baldi, 1ª Squadriglia, II Gruppo Caccia, Aviano, Feb 1945
4. Bf 109G-14, flown by Magg. Mario Bellagambi, 5ª Squadriglia, II Gruppo Caccia, Ossopo, March 1945
5. Bf 109F-4, flown by Ten. Antono Camaioni, 363ª Squadriglia, 150° Gruppo Caccia, May 1943.
6. Bf 109F-4 - same as scheme 5 with the additional unit and national markings.

Schemes 1-4 offer a very attractive selection of late-war colours and markings. The aircraft feature in Classic Colours' "Camouflage & Markings of the ANR, 1943-45" and Stormo! capture such peculiarities as the crooked chevron on Miani's aircraft. Unlike the profile in the book, Stormo! show Ugo Drago's "Black 7" with a yellow lower cowl and wingtips - which does seem to be borne out by photos.

Schemes 5 and 6 offer a real challenge for modellers, with the ex-Luftwaffe tropical RLM 78/79 scheme overspayed with a squiggle pattern of Grigio Azzurro Chiaro on the fuselage sides, along with painted-out German markings.

The decals are accompanied by two pages of comprehensive A-4 instructions, with colour profiles and top and bottom views of each scheme, along with detailed notes. There's a guide for the placement of standard stencilling (for the 1:48 sheet) on mid-late Bf 109s. A list of references is provided, plus suggested kits for each version. Finally, the Luftwaffe and Italian colours are matched to FS equivalents and paints in the Poly Scale Acrylic range.

Prices are as follows:

Sheet 48-005 - $14.99
Sheet 32-002 - $15.99

There is also a collector's edition of each sheet, featuring cover artwork watermarked with a picture of Ugo Drago and his aircraft. These are priced $18.99 and $19.99 respectively.

Conclusion

Stormo!'s Italian Bf 109 Aces Part II is excellent, combining superb quality decals with meticulous research. The schemes will have great appeal to enthusiast of Italian aviation and anyone simply looking for a '109 with a difference. Unreservedly recommended.

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