Jagstaffel 30 Volume 2 - 1:32 Pheon Decals

[Viking]

Jagstaffel 30 Volume 2

1:32 Pheon Decals

Jasta 30 was formed in January 1917, and remained based at Phalempin in northern France until virtually the end of the Great War. For most of this time the commanding officer was Hans Bethge, a 20 victory ace. Bethge was a little unusual as he survived for fourteen months in this role, before being killed in action in March 1918. Few Jasta commanders lasted this long.
The unit commenced combat operations with the Albatros D.III, progressing through the Albatros D.V and D.Va, the unloved Pfalz D.III and D.XII, to the much sought after Fokker D.VII.

Examples of all of these are covered on this latest release from Pheon, with the exception of the Pfalz D.III which is covered on sheet 32026. These sets are only avaialble direct from Pheon at £15.75 + P&P (which is a one off charge per order, no matter how many decal sets are purchased), although prices may increase in the near future as they have been held down for several years now.

Initially the Jasta left the choice of markings up to the individual pilot, so the D.III's showed a wide variety of markings. Bethge himself chose to paint the Mercedes three pointed star on the side of his D.III, in appreciation of the reliable powerplant in his mount.

Other options I particularly like on this sheet are no. 3. Kurt Katzensteins Albatros D.V. A fellow pilot, Otto Fuchs, painted the cat on the fuselage side, but it came out looking more like a fox. Maybe this was no accident, as 'Fuchs' is German for fox!

Hans Holthusen's red and white striped, Josef Heiligers black, Karl Weltz's pale blue and Emil Liebert's darker blue Albatros D.VA's all make for very attractive subjects. My favourites though are the Fokker D.VII's of August Hartmann (option 13) and the unknown orange / black & white striped machine (option 15).

1. Albatros D.III, Oblt. Hans Bethge, May/June 1917.
2. Albatros D.III, D2054/16, Ltn. Heinrich Brügman, April/June 1917.
3. Albatros D.V, Ltn. Kurt Katzenstein, August/October 1917.
4. Albatros D.V, D1012/17, Ltn. Paul Erbguth, June 1917.

5. Albatros D.V, Ltn. Otto Fuchs, September/October 1917.
6. Albatros D.V, D 2140/17, Ltn. Otto Fuchs, July/August 1917.
7. Albatros D.V, D1016/17, Ltn. Hans-Georg von der Marwitz, June 1917.
8. Albatros D.V, Ltn. Hans-Georg von der Marwitz, November 1917 to February 1918.

9. Albatros D.V, Ltn. Hans Holthusen, November1917/February 1918.
10. Albatros D.V Vzfw.Josef Heiligers, November/December 1917.
11. Albatros D.V, D4420/17, Ltn. Karl Weltz, November 1917.
12. Albatros D.V, Uffz.Emil Liebert, November 1917/January 1918.

13. Fokker D.VII, Ltn. August Hartmann, July/November 1918.
14. Fokker D.VII, Ltn. Hans-Georg von der Marwitz, September/October 1918.
15. Fokker D.VII, Pilot not known, Autumn 1918.

16. Pfalz D.XII, Ltn. Hans-Georg von der Marwitz, Summer 1918.
17. Fokker D.VII, Pilot not known, Autumn 1918.
18. Fokker D.VII, 370/18. Ltn. Hans Holthusen, June/September 1918.

Conclusion.
As with the previously reviewed set for Jasta 17, I really like these sets of decals that cover particualr units. They provide decals for several differnt types of aircraft and thus you get to apply them to several models, lowering the unit cost of the sheet per subject.
The instructions are as informative as ever, I really appreciate the extra little bits of background information. I can well imagine why Hans Holthusen (option 9) applied for single seaters. Flying a Rumpler 2 seater in August 1917 he was first picked on by German AA, then attacked by a Jasta 37 Albatros and crash landed with a seriously wounded observer.

The decals are printed by Fantasy Printshop, and are of excellent quality. The printing is pin sharp and in perfect register, on thin and minimal carrier film. The colours look right with good opacity, and the detailing is exceptionally good, as shown on this close up.

This is another great release from Pheon, who are providing a steady stream of interesting and important markings for the enthusiastic modeller of the Great War period. There is always a mix of the well known and the obscure on their decal sheets which goes to enhance their appeal. The only problem with them comes in selecting which ones you are going to do!

Review sample courtesy of