Euro Decals AVRO Lancaster Code Letters & Numbers 48x24x6 (ED-32123) 1:32

[Mike]

AVRO Lancaster Code Letters & Numbers 48x24x6 (ED-32123)

1:32 Euro Decals by Fantasy Printshop

 

 

There are a couple of Lancasters in 1:32, or at least there will be soon.  We've already seen the HK Models B.I kit (reviewed here), and Wingnut Wings should be releasing theirs later this year with an amount of luck and a fair wind, and that's a statement that's something I never thought I would type.  Two 1:32 Lancaster kit in injection moulded styrene.  What's the modelling age beyond platinum?

 

 

Euro Decals have this new set for those that want to go "off-book" for their subject matter, or for those that may have accidentally screwed up their kit decals.  We all know that decals aren't immune to coffee, tea and other liquids, as well as our human fallibility, so these things are known to happen, and probably happen to us all at least once in our modelling lifetimes, whether we care to admit it or not.  Arriving in a clear ziplok bag with a printed front insert, the set we were sent to review includes two sheets, one a little larger than the other in terms of area, but you have different purchase options on their site.  The larger sheet contains letters, while the smaller one has the digits, all of which are printed in dark red, as was common for the bomber force.  You get two of every letter in two different styles with rounded or squared off radiuses (radii for the Latin speakers), which is also the case for the digits, but you get three of most of them in three different styles with only the 8s and 9s having 2 each.  There are even two question-marks for your use if you need them.  The carrier film is cut close to the printed areas, and the inside areas are filled with carrier film, but this is cut back in a curve at the openings such as the Cs and Js, and should hide away nicely with a few coats of clear gloss and maybe a little sanding to hide the edges.  They are scaled to the 48" x 24" x 6" standard that is prescribed by the Air Ministry to the chaps with paint brushes, and taking the micrometer to the decals confirms that they are up to snuff, although scaling in inches was a bit of a novelty.

 

The cover page shows a trio of different Lancs including a Dambusters adapted airframe and a Rose turreted example, but these are illustrative purposes only, as the tail flashes, airframe serials and other markings are outside the remit of this sheet.

 

Conclusion

Fantasy Printshop's decals are a known quantity and will go down without fuss with the aid of some decal solution (they recommend Microsol & Set), so if you're in the market for some additional decals for your behemoth Lanc, then look no further.  The good news is that you can buy the sheets individually, or as a pack of four, so if you only need a few letters/digits it'll save you some shekels.

 

Very highly recommended.

 

Review sample courtesy of