Pfalz D.XII - 1:32 and 1:48 Pheon Decals

[Viking]

Pfalz D.XII

1:32 and 1:48 Pheon Decals

1:32nd scale sheet 32030. 1:48th scale sheet 48022

The Pfalz D.XII was a development of the earlier D.III, and shared a similar fate in that it was outperformed by another manufacturers product. With the D.III is was the Albatros DV that was considered to be the better aircraft, while the D.XII couldn't compete with the superb Fokker D.VII.

The major developments applied to the D.XII were a nose mounted radiator and replacement of the sesquiplane wing arrangement with more conventional wings of more equal span and chord. It also had conventional strutting and drag inducing rigging which the Fokker was designed to do without. Although it was a perfectly competent machine, it could not climb or manoeuvre as well as the Fokker D.VII so was never a popular choice for the Jastas.

Pheon decals have issued two decal sets for the D.XII in both 1:32 for the Wingnut Wings kit, and in 1:48th for the Blue Max or Special Hobby kits.

I bought the Wingnut Wings kit as soon as it was released, and as expected it is a beautiful set of mouldings well up to the high standard we expect from Wingnut. The kit offers five finishing options which cover a good range of the D.XII's short career, but only 1 of them (Option B, Jasta 49) really grabbed me. So it is great to see that Pheon have produced a set of 10 further options to tempt us with.

Produced in their now familiar A4 format the set consists of a paper sheet showing all 10 options available (11 on sheet 48020) . There are then 3 sheets of profiles showing each one in more detail, with 3 or 4 drawings per sheet.

Then we have the very helpful A5 booklet giving some background information on the aircraft, and written details of each aircraft option. There is a lot of useful information in here, pointing out where there are difficulties in interpreting colours from old black & white photographs.

Although the Wingnuts kit supplies both early and late style fin/rudder units, Pheons sheet covers only the later aircraft.

Shown here are the profiles from 32030 on the left, with 48022 on the right.

The Options are;
1.D.XII 2695/18, pilot and unit unknown, Autumn 1918
2.D.XII 1460/18, pilot unknown, Jasta 23b
3.D.XII, serial and pilot unknown, Jasta 17, probably Autumn 1918
4.D.XII 1416/18, pilot unknown, Jasta 17

5.D.XII 2525/18, Vfw. Ludwig Marchner, Jasta 32b
6.D.XII 1443/18, pilot unknown, Jasta 77b
7.D.XII, serial pilot and unit unknown
8.D.XII, serial pilot and unit unknown

9.D.XII 2867/18, Belgian markings, post-war
10. D.XII, serial unknown, Ltn. Josef Reasch, Jasta 43, Harbourdin, August 1918

Sheet 48020 only;
11. D.XII, 1445/18 pilot unknown, Jasta 49 (the same as Option B in the Wingnuts kit.)

The decals.

Both sets are printed by Fantasy Printshop, the 1:32 on an A4 sheet, 1:48 a little larger than A5, and they both show the same high standards we have come to expect from this source. The sheets are logically laid out, with each option having its own section. The colours are good and a typical Pheon touch is that where there is a possibility that a marking could have been one of two colours, you get the decal in both, such as the white or Blue 'M' for option 5. Printing is pin sharp and the carrier film is minimal. Some slight extra carrier film is used on the wavy yellow band on option 2 to help it hold its shape. This is pointed out in the instructions so that you can keep or remove it as suits your preference.

Sheet 32030.

Sheet 48020

48020 contains a small supplementary sheet of Pfalz logos.

Rather than repeat items that are in the kit, Pheon use the space on the sheet to give you more options. Therefore you will need to take some of the items from the wingnuts kit, particularly the lozenge for the wings and the Balkenkreutz etc. The Belgian option however does supply all the roundels and rudder stripes.

Conclusion.

Another lovely and well thought out set from Pheon. Split between 4 camouflaged, 4 silver-grey, and 2 black examples, giving a good range of extra finishes to choose from. The two black options look particularly sleek, whilst the captured Belgian example really offers something exotic.
Whichever your preferred scale either of these sheets will make a great addition to your stashed Wingnut Wings, Special Hobby, or Blue Max kits.

Very highly recommended

Review sample courtesy of Pheon Decals