Fantasy Printshop | Euro Decals ED-35001 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vb

Reviewed by Iain Ogilvie

This new set is fairly unique at present, at least as far as I'm aware, in that it provides markings for the new 1:35 Spitfire Vb kit from Border Models.

The range of aviation kits in this scale is slowly growing, yet the availability of suitable alternative markings options, in this relatively new scale for aviation subjects, is still relatively sparse. You could use 1:32 decals - but there's a scale difference of almost 10% - so noticeable in my view.

Fantasy Printshop have now jumped to the rescue, when it comes to the new Spitfire Vb kits in this scale, with a sheet of decals that covers not only 11 subjects, but ones that cover a wide variety of different colours and markings.

As with other Fantasy Printshop decals that we have reviewed, the print quality appears top notch, with good colour density and perfect register, along with a thin and absolutely minimal varnish layer.

As with other sheets in the range, printing is on a blue ground making it easier to see all the white printed areas.

Options

A rather grand total of eleven options are included:

Option 1: Spitfire LF Mk.Vb, BL415 AZ-B, flown by Flight Lieutenant Walt "Jonnie" Johnston of 234 (Madras Presidecy) Squadron, Royal Air Force, based at RAF Deanland and used on spotting operations over the D-Day beaches, 6th June 1944.
Option 2: Spitfire Mk.Vb Trop, ER228 ZX-6 of 145 Squadron, Royal Air Force, Egypt 1942.
Option 3: Spitfire Mk.Vb W3458 YQ-X flown by Flight Lieutenant Les "Buck" Casson of 616 (South Yorkshire) Squadron, Royal Air Force, RAF Tangmere, 9th August 1941.
Option 4: Spitfire Mk.Vb EP464 NN-E of 310 (Czech) Squadron, Royal Air Force, Exeter, July 1942.
Option 5: Sitfire Mk.Vb Trop JK792 WR-O of 40 Squadron, South African Air Force, Italy, 1944.
Option 6: Spitfire Mk.Vb W3458 JU-E of 111 Squadron, Royal Air Force, North Weald, October 1941.
Option 7: Spitfire Mk.Vb EP254 DW-B flown by Squadron Leader J. E. "Jonnie" Johnson, CO of 610 (County of Chester) Squadron Royal Air Force, West Malling, 19th August 1942.
Option 8: Spitfire LF Mk.Vb EP644 RY-S of 313 (Czech) Squadron Royal Air Force, RAF Churchstanton, March 1943.
Option 9: Spitfire Mk.Vb Trop AB254 GN-H of 249 Squadron Royal Air Force, Ta' Qali, Malta, 1942.
Option 10: Spitfire Mk.Vb Trop ER622 WR-D of 40 Squadron South African Air Force, Gabes, North Africa, April 1943.<
Option 11: Spitfire Mk.Vb BL753 YO-H flown by Pilot Officer Don Blakeslee of 401 (Ram) Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force, RAF Gravesend, May 1942.

Placement Guide

Printed in colour, the set includes detailed placement instruction that include relevant Humbrol, Xtracolour, Xtracrylix, Mr Color Aqueous and Vallejo Model Air where applicable.

Conclusion

A really nice set of decals for the Border 1:35 Spitfire Vb, with a really good, and broad, mix of subjects covered that should provide something for most builders.

Another Highly Recommended set!

Availability

This sheet is available directly from Fantasy Printshop.

Our thanks to Ray Horwell at Fantasy Printshop for the review sample.

Iain