Red Roo Decals 1:48 "The Away Team" Part I,II,III RAAF In Europe

[Julien]

Red Roo Decals 4847 - The Away Team Part 1.

3 & 450 Squadrons RAAF P-51C in Italy 1044-45

This is a large sheet featuring P-51C Mustangs of 3 & 450 Sqns RAAF. The decals seem to me to be very well printed with good colour density and in register. A full side of A4 colour instructions is provided for each decal option.

The sheet provides full details and roundel to make 6 models. Most aircraft feature a light blue painted rudder with the Southern Cross on it.

1. FB128/

CV

Mustang III 3 Sqn Lavariano, Italy 1945

This was one of only two aircraft fitted with Malcolm hoods. The aircraft retains a white noseband remnant of ETO recognition marks, but the rest have been removed. The aircraft has at some time been repainted in a non-factory pattern camo. RAF Colours used.

2. FX880/OK Mustang III, 450 Sqn Lavariano, Italy 1945

This was the other MK III fitted with a Malcolm Hood. The aircraft has patches of a lighter green paint either side of the engine cowlings suggesting something has been removed. The aircraft has at some time been repainted in a non-factory pattern camo. RAF Colours used.

3. KH631/

CV

-V Mustang III, 3 Sqn Italy early 1945.

Aircraft has factory ANA colours (or should that be colors?) The RAF Sky band at the rear has been over painted in a darker green possibly RAF Dark Green.

4. FB244/

CV

-V Mustang III, 3 Sqn RAAF Cervia Italy, Jan 1945

Aircraft has been repainted in a non factory pattern using RAF colours. There is a small crocodile logo in black on the port side. The codes overlap the serial.

5. FB244/OK-F Mustang III 450 Sqn Lavariano, Italy 1945.

The 3 Sqn codes were over painted in slightly lighter colours and these are given as decals to apply before applying the 450 Sqn codes.It appears this aircraft also had a repaint/repair around the port windscreen.

6. KH616/

CV

-<> Mustang III, 3 Sqn RAAF, Fano Italy Dec 1944

Aircraft has factory ANA colours. Spinner is Red.

Red Roo Decals 4848 - The Away Team Part 2.

457 Squadron RAAF Spitfires in the UK 1941-42

This is a medium sheet featuring 4 Spitfires of 457 Sqn RAAF. The decals seem to me to be very well printed with good colour density and in register. A full side of A4 colour instructions is provided for each decal option.

The sheet provides full details and roundels to make 4 models.

1. Spitfire MK1, X4817, BP-C 457 Sqn RAAF, Jurby Isle Of Man Sept 1941

Aircraft in the standard RAF Dark Green, Ocean Grey & Medium Sea Grey camouflage scheme. A small Australian Flags was carried on the cockpit door. The significance of a small white rabbit under the windscreen is not known.

2. Spitfire MKI, N3246, BP-P 457 Sqn RAAF, Jurby Isle Of Man Sept 1941

Aircraft in the standard RAF Dark Green, Ocean Grey & Medium Sea Grey camouflage scheme.

3. Spitfire MKIIA, P8175, BP-R, 457 Sdn RAAF, Andreas, Isle Of man, Oct 1941

Aircraft in the standard RAF Dark Earth, Dark Green & Sky type S.

This aircraft was a presentation aircraft that bore a silhouette map of Australia, with Charleville written beneath it. The aircraft also carried the legend “Baltic Exchange II” on the starboard side beneath the windscreen.

4. Spitfire MKVb, BL351, NP-H 457 Sdn RAAF, Andreas, Isle Of man, Feb 1942

Flown by Flt Lt J.A.A Gibson, B flight commander. Born in England but lived in New Zealand Gibson is believed to be the only Allied Pilot who flew operations in The Battle for France, The Battle Of Britain, the ETO and SWPA. He achieved 14 victories in The battles for France and Britain.

Red Roo Decals 4848 - The Away Team Part 3.

457 Squadron RAAF Spitfires in the UK, MTO & Europe 1943-45

This is a medium sheet featuring 4 Spitfires of 457 Sqn RAAF. The decals seem to me to be very well printed with good colour density and in register. A full side of A4 colour instructions is provided for each decal option.

The sheet provides full decals to make 5 models.

1. Spitfire MkVc, EE797, BQ-Y, El Dabra, Egypt Oct-Dec 1943.

This aircraft was one of the first taken on strength by 451 Sqn. The aircraft was finished ion the Dark Earth, Dark Green over Azure Blue scheme. The Dark Green was over painted onto Middle stone areas leaving some slight over spray

2. Spitfire MkIXc MA466, BQ-S, Corsica, France May 1944.

451 Sqn was redeployed to support the invasion of Italy & Southern Europe during May 1944. This aircraft was finished in the high altitude scheme of Medium Sea Grey uppers over PRU Blue lowers.

3. Spitfire MkIXc MH771, BQ-M, Corsica July 1944.

This aircraft was finished in the standard day fighter scheme, with a red spinner.

4. Spitfire MkXVIe TB592, NI-V, Matlaske, UK, March 1945.

By this time 451 Sqn had been serving in the UK Since December 1944. They then moved to Marston in Feb 1945 before joinin12 group in March 1945. Operating from Matlaske the sqn participated in the hunt for V-2 rocket sites until the end of WWII.

This aircraft was finished in the standard day fighter scheme.

5. Spitfire MKXIVe NH895, NI-K, Berlin, Germany October 1945.

After the end of hostilities 451 sqn served as a part of the occupying forces in Germany, based at Gatow Airport in Berlin.

Unlike other aircraft in the sqn NH895 did not have the camera ports painted over. The aircraft had its sky band overpainted with lead to slightly darker paint in this area

Overall Conclusions

These are excellent quality sheets which provide more than enough options for those modellers wanting to model RAAF Squadrons which fought in Europe. The decals look well printed, in register with a good depth of colour.

The instructions are excellent and show that great deal of research has gone into producing these sheets.

Even though the 1/48 sheets have been reviewed here, I should point out these are available in 1/72 as well.

Review sample courtesy of