Scale Plastic & Rail

1/35 German and US Insignia and Equipment Decals (2 sets) – by Passion Models

1/35 German and US Insignia and Equipment Decals (2 sets) – by Passion Models

1/35 German Equipment Decal Set - P35D001
1/35 US Army badge & Insignia Decal Set - P35D002

Introduction
Passion Models of Japan now make a wide variety of accessories and upgrades for armour kits, mainly in 1/35 scale, but also in 1/48. Their range includes resin figures, photo-etch detail sets, metal barrels, plastic replacement parts and metal barrels. It also extends to decals, and today we have two sets for equipment and uniform detailing; one German, the other American.

Passion Models are produced by M.S. Models in Japan - you can view their full line up here – and they have very kindly sent us three of their figure sets which you can see below.

1/35 German Equipment Decal Set

The decals come in a re-sealable clear cellophane packet, similar to that which Eduard use for their photo-etch and masks. Inside is a single piece of laminated paper containing a colour overview of the contents, and a numerical key showing what decals apply to which item.

A wide variety of equipment is covered, and includes: panzerfaust (two types), TMI-43 mine, stick hand grenade 24, fire extinguisher, water jerry can and 8.8cm ammunition (two types).

We also have SS helmet insignia, and by the looks of things, you will have enough of these to kit out half the Leibstandarte!

As required in decals this small, they have minimal carrier film, and it looks fairly thin as far as I can see. The decals are also in near perfect register, and show clear colour definition.

So, whether you are modelling just a the odd figure, or indeed a whole troop assembly diorama, this set should be just what you need.

1/35 US Army Badge & Insignia Decal Set

This set is similar to the German one, except that it is focused on clothing and helmet unit insignia, rank badges and so on. There are no equipment decals as such.

The instructions are printed on either side of a single sheet, and although the majority of the text is in Japanese, they key to which decal matches with which particular infantry or airborne division is in English.

Finally, there is what I assume to be some graffiti eg a scrawled "Brooklyn NY" decal, which should make a nice addition to a late war diorama or vignette.

As above, the decals are in perfect register, with pretty much zero surrounding carrier film.

So What Do We Think?
These are two great little decal sets. They are not the first company to manufacture things like this, but these are two of the more comprehensive sets I have seen, and will have a number of different modelling uses.

Highly recommended.

With thanks to M.S. Models for the review sample.

The full line of Passion Models products is available via M.S.Models of Japan

Nicholas Mayhew