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In-Box Review
172
Decals for EC 135
Eurocopter EC 135 Polish Helicopter Emergency Medical Service
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by: Mecenas [ MECENAS ]

Eurocopter EC 135 is civil helicopter used in over 23 countries. It is popular as air charter, police, air ambulance or other private companies or individuals. Designed in 1994 this type was introduced into service in Polish Air Ambulance Service in 2007 as a replacement of the old and worn out Mil Mi-2. First machine was delivered to Poland in 2009. Polish machines are EC 135P2 with the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B2 engines.

Decals which enables to finish our 1:72 scale EC 135's in Polish HEMS colours are produced by one of the newest companies on the decal market – Rotor Decals. Designer of the company did really good job with the quality and clever layout of the decal.

First of all decals are printed on the very thin carrier film without too much excess beyond the contour of the markings. Vivid and authentic colours are another advantages of this product. Instruction sheet precisely shows where the particular markings should be placed. There are two general options provided in this set: for machines with and without IBF filter. There are few differences in the placement of some markings between these two versions. Decals contains just one registration which is SP-HXB, but the set enables you to finish your kit with virtually any individual registration, though variation is limited to the letters seen on Polish helicopters. All you need to do is to cut off the letter B and replace it with the desired one. If you know somebody who is a crew member of one of these birds you can build his/her machine without any problem or hesitation. I think this would be a good idea for an unique gift.

Instruction sheet provides not only scheme of decals placement but a general painting schemes as well. On the separate drawings Rotor Decals presents colour scheme on both sides of rotor blades. Suggested colour are given in the RAL standard but producer suggests the colours from Tamiya and Revell palette, depending on which is better I hope.

Although the set is prepared at very good level there's one error. The blue stripes going along the fuselage sides are a bit too narrow on the end section. This stripes ends will be placed on oblique surface so to keep the visual effect of the same high, when looking from the side, these stripes should widen a bit on their ends. These is a matter of one- or two-tenths of millimetre and barely seen on finished model in this scale, so decide yourself whether you will be able to live with it.

As far as I recognised the market the only model kit of this type of helicopter in 1:72 scale is offered by Revell. Company boxes the EC 135 in few different options so it's up to you to pick the correct one. The boxing of "ADAC/ÖAMTC" has the yellow styrene what will make final painting a bit easier, it's just my suggestion. Unfortunately we do not have it reviewed yet on Aeroscale but if you wish to help us, please feel free to submit your review..

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.
SUMMARY
Highs: Very good quality of decals, thin carrier film, plain and easy to read instruction.
Lows: Small omission of size on two decals.
Verdict: Generally very usefull set for a popular model kit of popular helicopter. I hope to see many of them finished.
Percentage Rating
90%
  Scale: 1:72
  Mfg. ID: RD H72001
  PUBLISHED: Mar 10, 2013
  NATIONALITY: Poland
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 89.66%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 90.00%

Our Thanks to Rotor Decals!
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 Mecenas

Copyright ©2021 text by Mecenas [ MECENAS ]. 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.



   
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