TG Decals Eye Catcher Mustangs I & II 1:48 & 1:72

[Mike]

Eye Catcher Mustangs I & II

48005, 72005 & 48006, 72006

1:48 & 1:72 TG Decals

 

With all the new Mustang kits popping up hither and yon, TG Decals have created these new decal sheets for the modeller that likes to go far from the madding crowd when it comes to country and finishing options.  With these sets you can build a number of schemes from Guatemala and the Dominican Republic from their heyday with the F-51D as it was labelled during the 50s and 60s.  The Pursuit nomenclature became Fighter post WWII, and although we still call them P-51s, that was what they were at the time, so there!

 

There are two sets in each scale, and all arrive in the same style packaging in the form of a resealable clear foil bag with a translucent white header, and the instructions, decal sheet(s) and masks safely in the middle of the folded instructions.  The number of sheets varies between the sets and scales whilst providing the same markings for the two scales.  The masks used are pre-cut translucent greyish vinyl, with instructions on how to apply and spray the various markings that are unsuitable for decals and best painted on the airframe.  There are lots of reasons why this option was used, with the main one being that you don’t have to get the decals to settle down on substantial compound curves, particularly around the nose cowling panels.  it also permits you to use them on many manufacturer's models, as the cowlings may be slightly differently sized so the masks can be adjusted.

 

Eye Catcher Mustangs I (48005 & 72005)

 

This set covers six airframes, three each from the aerobatic team PIRATAS and in-service machines at the same airfield later in the 50s.  The Piratas aircraft all have a stepped band of red, white and blue on their noses that you will need to mask and paint yourself, but for the difficult leading edge “go-faster” flashes, there are masks to help you get the shape correct.  Two of the three in-service airframes have a stylised red lightning bolt under their anti-glare panels, which is also supplied as masks for you to paint yourself.  The rest of the markings are decals, with colours called out in Model Master, Humbrol, Tamiya, Gunze Sangyo and Vallejo codes as well as swatches for colour matching.

 

From the sheet you can decal the following:

 

• F-51D 318 circa 1958, Base Aérea La Aurora, Guatemala City
• F-51D 336 circa 1959, Base Aérea La Aurora, Guatemala City
• F-51D 354 circa 1967, Base Aérea La Aurora, Guatemala City
• F-51D 342 Aerobatic team “Piratas” circa 1956, Base Aérea La Aurora, Guatemala City
• F-51D 342 Aerobatic team “Piratas” circa 1958, Base Aérea La Aurora, Guatemala City
• F-51D 321 Aerobatic team “Piratas” circa 1957, Base Aérea La Aurora, Guatemala City

 

 

1:48

 

1:72

 

 

 

Eye Catcher Mustangs II (48006 & 72006)

 

Covering another three more airframes, these are Fuerza Aerea Dominicana aircraft, with their eye-catching (see?) roundels, tail flashes and shark-mouths under the nose.  Again the set comprises decals with a sheet of vinyl masks to paint the nose area “face” behind the shark mouth with the various colours used on these airframes.  The rest of the markings are decals, with colours called out in Model Master, Humbrol, Tamiya, Gunze Sangyo and Vallejo codes as well as swatches for colour matching.  From the sheet you can decal:

 

• F-51D Fuerza Aerea Dominicana, “Ramfis” squadron, circa 1954
• F-51D Fuerza Aerea Dominicana, “Ramfis” squadron, circa 1960
• F-51D Fuerza Aerea Dominicana, “Ramfis” squadron, circa 1960

 

 

1:48

 

1:72

 

 

 

Conclusion

These are certainly unusual mustangs, and are most definitely eye-catchers with their bright colours and polished skins.  They will really bring your Mustang to life, and get people wondering where they’re from.

 

Highly recommended.

 

 

Review sample courtesy of

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