Spada Decals | #SD-LL-BCAT/01/FR: 1/32 French Bearcats

Reviewed by Randy Bumgardner

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Spada Decals has released a new set of decals for the Trumpeter 1/32 Grumman F8F-1 Bearcat in their Laser Line range. This set covers an astounding 27 aircraft and with the decals provided, the modeler can build two complete airframes. Spada Decals offers great choices to the modeler when references on the subject conflict, and in most cases they provide multiple versions of many markings and nose art taking into account various "probable" elements and explaining the choices clearly.

Spada provides an accompanying page describing each of the 27 profiles and the paint options for the French F8F's. However, this guide is printed solely in French, but I was able to decipher the gist of the information provided.

The decal artwork is color-correct and where I could cross reference elements they were dimensionally accurate. The master artwork is detailed, crisp and well researched. Two white sheets and one clear sheet are provided. Specific decals from both are required to complete certain marking - particularly the national insignias.

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The Laser Line decal series are finely detailed but require a bit of careful attention to the instructions as they are printed with no separate carrier film channel (each decal must be trimmed individually). While not for beginners, the series is a more advanced decal solution and should be used with extra attention. Specific instructions on how to use Laser Line decals can be found on the Spada Decals website.

Recommended.

Thanks to Spada Decals for the review sample.

© Randy Bumgardner 2008

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This review was published on Saturday, July 02 2011; Last modified on Wednesday, May 18 2016