Jasta 18 Vol. 2 Raben's Ravens - 1:48 Pheon Decals

[Viking]

Jasta 18 Vol. 2 Raben's Ravens

1:48 Pheon Decals

 

Background

This set follows on from Jasta 18 Vol. 1 Bertholds Boys covering the 'new' Jasta 18 under August Raben.

The story starts with Rudolph Berthold, commander of Jasta 18 being given command of JG II in March 1918. Consisting of Jastas 12, 13, 15, and 19, it would have meant Berthold leaving Jasta 18 and the men he had formed into an effective fighting force. In brief, what he did was rename Jasta 18 to Jasta 15 so that it formed part of JG II and went with him. At the same time Jasta 15 switched identities with Jasta 18.

August Raben had only just taken command of Jasta 15 on 14th March, when the swap occurred on 20th, on which day he was hospitalised after a crash on take off. Hardly the ideal start to his command.

By 14th April he was out of hospital and reunited with the Jasta just outside Lille. Like many German commanders he sought to build an 'esprit de corps', and ordered the application of a striking livery to all of Jasta 18's aircraft. The noses back to the cockpit were painted in bright vermilion red, the rest of the fuselage back to the tail in white. The top of upper wing was in red, and later the top of the lower wing also. Some aircraft also received red lower surfaces of their wings. Each also had the symbol of a raven (raben in German) as a unit marking, and individual pilots chose their own marking to go alongside.

Thus marked, Staffel Raben went to war and achieved notable success, with something between 112 and 126 victories by the time of the armistice seven months later. By this time they were equipped with the superb Fokker D.VII which were of course painted up in the flamboyant red and white scheme.

Pheon acknowledge reference to Osprey's Aviation Elite Units No.40 'Jasta 18' by Greg Van Wyngarden. I heartily endorse this and had already purchased a copy in anticipation of this set.

The decal set.

The decals are produced in Pheons' now familiar format with no fewer than 17 individual aircraft featured, covering the Albatros D.Va, Pfalz D.IIIa, Fokker DR.1, and Fokker D.VII. Included is a full colour overview of all 17 options, followed by 4 sets of more detailed profiles and 1 of plan views,on thick glossy card in A4 size.

The usual instruction booklet contains a wealth of information with historical detail, and notes on finishing options on the real aircraft. Pheon explain where there are doubts or 'grey' areas such as where fuselage and wing undersides may or may not have been painted, which allows the modeller to make an informed choice on which way to go. Notes are provided on each individual aircraft pointing out the key details of the finish, and where possible connecting each aircraft with a pilot.

 

Sealed in their own cellophane bag the decals themselves are on two A5 sheets printed by the Fantasy Printshop and one small amendment sheet for the Pfalz and Fokker DR.1. As with the 'Jasta 18 Vol. 1' set the first sheet contains all the personal markings for each aircraft, including edging for the fuselage sides and elevators, and tailplane stripes. Various personal markings and fuselage bands are supplied, along with numerous ravens and fuselage crosses.

 

The second sheet contains sets of Eisenkreutz for wings and fuselage and two more sets of black tailplane chevrons. A nice touch typical of Pheon is that the white areas have been double printed to ensure opacity over the other colours.

Finally we have the Pfalz & Dr.1 amendment sheet.

 

 

As with other sets from his manufacturer, the printing is beautifully sharp and in register with barely visible carrier film and look amazingly thin. Previous experience has shown that they go on like a dream, and are a delight to use.

The options.

1. Albatros D.Va - pilot and serial unknown, Lomme, June 1918.
2. Albatros D.Va - pilot and serial unknown, Lomme, June 1918.
3. Albatros D.Va - pilot and serial unknown, Lomme, June 1918.
4. Albatros D.Va - Ltn. Kurt Monnington, serial unknown, Lomme, June 1918.

 

 

5. Pfalz D.IIIa - Ltn. Hans Muller, serial unknown, Lomme, June 1918.
6. Fokker Dr.I - 479/17, Ltn. August Raben, Montingen, October 1918.
7. Fokker D.VII - 386/18, Ltn. Hans Schultz, Lomme, June 1918.
8. Fokker D.VII (OAW) - Possible Vzfw Glatz, Montingen, Summer 1918.
9. Fokker D.VII (OAW) - Ltn. August Raben, Montingen, Summer 1918.

 

 

10. Fokker D.VII early (OAW) - Ltn. Kurt Monnington, Montingen, Summer 1918.
11. Fokker D.VII (OAW) - pilot and serial unknown, prob. Montingen, Summer 1918.
12. Fokker D.VII (OAW) - serial unknown, Ltn.Gunther Von Buren, Montingen, August/September1918.
13. Fokker D.VII , pilot and serial unknown, Montingen, Summer 1918.

 

 

14. Fokker D.VII (OAW) - serial unknown, Ltn. Hans Muller, Montingen, September 1918.
15. Fokker D.VII prob. (OAW) - serial unknown, Ltn. Wilhelm Kuhne, Montingen, Summer 1918.
16. Fokker D.VII (OAW) - serial unknown, Ltn.Heinz Kustner, Montingen, Summer 1918 and post war.
17. Fokker D.VII Albatros built- pilot and serial unknown, Montingen, Summer 1918 and post war.

 

 

The plan views.

 

 

Conclusion.

This is another fabulous set from Pheon. I am itching to get started on a representative sample of 'Raben's Ravens' with at least 1 Albatros, the Palz, the Dr.1 and at probably 3 of the D.VII's. Sets like this are a fabulous idea as they bring their own little mini theme, and are fantastic value as you get so many models out of them.

 

Four finished models here.

As with the previous set reviewed, 'Bertholds Boys' this would make a great subject for a club display with a few modellers sharing out the builds between them.

Very highly recommended

 

Review sample courtesy of Pheon Decals