Scales:
- 1:48 (MA-48197)
- 1:72 (MA-72197)
Reviewed by Geoff Coughlin
Our thanks to The Aviation Workshop Publications Ltd for supplying the review sample. Get this essential decal sheet here now at: www.theaviationworkshop.co.uk
Initial assessment…
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At the time of writing – November 2010 the modelling world has just seen the release by Airfix of their 1:48 scale De Havilland Sea Vixen. See the here now and build now reviews, started within hours of its receipt to bring you what will be the first and most comprehensive in-depth build in the world.
Whilst I was waiting for the kit… I was able to obtain this excellent decal sheet from Model Alliance and what a great sheet of decals it is. Just look at the 8 subjects:
- An all-white de Havilland Sea Vixen FAW.Mk.1 XJ476, of Hawker-Siddeley Dynamics, Hatfield, 1966
- Extra Dark Sea Grey over Identification White (BS381C:302) and Post Office Red forward sections to drop tanks. De Havilland Sea Vixen FAW.Mk.1 XJ513, ‘710/VL’ of 766 Naval Air Squadron, “Fred’s Five” Aerobatic Team, RNAS Yeovilton, 1962
- Light Aircraft Grey (BS381C:627) upper surfaces with Fluorescent Orange FS18903 bands on wings and tail booms over Black and Identification Yellow (BS381C:356) striped undersides. de Havilland Sea Vixen FAW.Mk.2 (TT). XJ524, of Flight Refuelling Ltd, Hurn, 1983
- Extra Dark Sea Grey over Identification White (BS381C:302), de Havilland Sea Vixen FAW.Mk.2 XN684, ‘124/E’ of 899 Naval Air Squadron, HMS Eagle, 1972
- Extra Dark Sea Grey over Identification White (BS381C:302) and Identification Yellow (BS381C:356), de Havilland Sea Vixen FAW.Mk.1 XN649 ‘242/R’ of 890 Naval Air Squadron, HMS Ark Royal. Early 1962
- Deep Cream (BS381C:353) upper surfaces, Black wing tips over Post Office Red under surfaces, de Havilland Sea Vixen D.Mk.3
- Extra Dark Sea Grey over Identification White, de Havilland Sea Vixen D.Mk.3. XN657, ‘TRI’ of Flight Refuelling Ltd, Hurn, February 1981
- Identification White and Post Office Red upper surfaces over Black and Identification Yellow striped under surfaces. de Havilland Sea Vixen FAW.Mk.2 (TT). XS587, of Flight Refuelling Ltd, Hurn early 1980s then passed to RAE Llanbedr until 1984
All the choices are interesting, varied and some like those from the Flight Refuelling company are highly bright and colourful. Your model will stand out if nothing else so this sheet will be great news for anyone that likes colourful models. Already I am planning my choice from these that will be incorporated into the Airfix kit build.
Quality…
This is excellent across the whole sheet and this is mainly because these decals are made by Cartograf in Italy for Model Alliance. Colour and registration is spot on and having used these decals before several times I am sure that these will be equally as impressive. These decals are thin, yet strong and flexible and that’s just what we need as scale modellers.
Highly recommended
Geoff C.