Articles
EagleCals Dora Vol 2
- Details
- Published on Sun, 21 Mar 2010 James Hatch
EagleCals Decals for 'Fw 190 Dora, Vol.2, by Jerry Crandall'
Jerry Crandalls latest book on the Fw 190 Dora, Volume 2, has got to be one of the most definitive tomes on the subject, and as with Volume 1, Eagle Editions have released 4 new sets to tie in with this new book, Volume 2. Three of these sheets are exclusively for using with the 'Dora', whilst the fourth is for the Messerschmitt Me 262. The decals I have been sent for review are 1/32, so my review is based upon those, though knowing Eagle Editions, the smaller scale will be no less impressive.
The ‘Dora sets’, as I shall call the ones tied to the Jerry Crandall book, are truly impressive. Each 190D sheet carries markings and stencils for either 4 or 5 machines, including some quite unusual subjects, such as the captured Russian machine. All decals are Cartograf printed, in flawless register, and meticulously detailed, as you would expect from something which Mr Crandall has been involved with. The subjects are:
EagleCals EC#124
- Rudels Fw 190D-9
- ‘Black 4’ W.Nr.500576 II./JG 301
- ‘White 1’ W.Nr.601033 I./JG26
- Fw 190D-11 ‘White<57’ w="" nr="" 220011="" li="">
- Fw 190D-11 ‘White<53’ li="">
EagleCals EC#125
- Russian captured Fw 190D-9
- ‘White 16’ II./JG 301
- ‘Black 4’ W.Nr.400271 III./JG2
- ‘White 15’ W.Nr.600651
EagleCals EC#126
- ‘Brown 4’ W.Nr.500647 7./JG26
- ‘White 13’ W.Nr.210982 I./JG26
- Fw 190D-13 ‘Black <<’ w="" nr="" 836016="" li="">
- Fw 190D-9 ‘White <52’ w="" nr="" 60="" li="">
EagleCals EC#127
- Generalleutnant Adolf Galland Me 262A-1a ‘White <<’ jv44="" li="">
- Major Rudi Sinner Me 262A-1a ‘Black <<’ stab="" iii="" jg7="" li="">
Each set comes with a comprehensive colour sheet depicting all the different subjects, with individual notes specific to that machine, plus a fully detailed stencil placement plan. For the Dora’s, each set contains 2 decal sheets, and for the Me 262, a single sheet is given.
The remaining 4 sets depict various types, and have been specifically chosen to show the range of decals which EagleCals offers. The four chosen machines; the P-47D Thunderbolt, Spitfire Mk. IX, Bf 110 C/D, Bf 109E-1
EagleCals EC#106 P-47D Thunderbolt (2 decal sheets)
- ‘The Trojan Warhorse’ P-47D-27-RE 79th FG
- ‘Whooo’ P-47D-26-RA 405th FG
EagleCals EC#115 Spitfire Mk. IX (2 decal sheets)
- 2I-E MK636 443Sqn RCAF, June 1944, Pilot S/L Wally McLeod
- YO-R BS104 401Sqn RCAF, August 1942, Pilot F/O T.K. Ibbotson
- ZX-1 EN459 145Sqn RAF, Spring 1943, Various Pilots
EagleCals EC#119 Bf 110C/D (3 decal sheets)
- D5+KS 8./NJG 3
- L1+DH 1./NJG 3
- M8+SP 6./ZG 76
EagleCals EC#120 Bf 109E-1 (2 decal sheets)
- ‘Yellow 14’ 6.(J)Trägergruppe 186
- ‘Yellow 12’ 6./JG 26
- ‘Yellow 3’ 6./JG 52
- ‘Black <’ lt="" josef="" pips="" priller="" stab="" i="" jg="" 51="" li="">
The above sets are made in the same format to their later cousins by means that each set is released with a comprehensive stencil set, along with national markings and individual insignia. Where the subject is German, the Hakenkreuz is included also. This can be a bone of contention with modellers who wish to create a specific machine and make it historically accurate. No such worries here though.
The excellent Bf 110 set is a welcome solution to the amazing 1/32 Dragon Bf 110C/D kits where strangely, no stencil data was supplied. Use these with confidence!
The P-47D set comes with a little extra, in the form of a photographic sheet depicting WHOOO in service. Again, full stencil decaling is provided.
Decals are in perfect registration and nice and thin too. These are the style which I used for my own Fw 190D-9 and I know from experience that they react well to setting solutions. Again, decals are by Cartograf.
So what do we think?
It really goes without saying that these are without doubt, the most beautiful and comprehensive decal sets we have reviewed at Scale Plastic & Rail. With these sets, you can be assured that you will finish your model knowing that the subject has been thoroughly researched, and your model will be as accurate as possible.
Overall: 10/10
Many thanks to Eagle Editions for supplying these review samples. For current prices, please check the Eagle Editions website or Eagle Editions distributor for your country.
