The way the decal set is packed is impressive. The decals and colour profiles are place in a cellophane envelope and then packed in sturdy cardboard carton for posting. There is a thick A4 sheet of card inside reducing the likely hood of the package being folded. Inside you will find:
- 1 x sheet of decals
- 3 x A4 format full colour instructions.
This new release from Exito Decals contains markings for three different fighter aircraft operating on the East Front during World War II. The marking options include:
- Yakovlev Yak-1b, coded ‘Red 22’ of 562nd IAP / 318th IAD PVO, Moscow area, USSR, 1943.
- Messerschmitt Bf 110 E-2 trop, WNr. 4018, coded S9+GP, flown by Oblt. Günther Tonne, Kapitän of 6./SKG 210, Orel, USSR, December 1941.
- Messerschmitt Bf 109 F-4 trop, WNr. 10098 (probable), flown by Obstlt. Günther Lützow, Kommodore of JG 3, southern sector of the Eastern front, USSR, May 1942.
Yak-1b ‘Redd 22’ has a two grey [AMT-11 & 12] upper camouflage scheme, with a more standard light blue [AMT-7] underneath. The pattern of the disruptive upper camouflage is unusual. The artwork on the fuselage is inspired by a character from “Mtsyri” a poem by Mikhail Lermontov. It depicts a travelling novice Monk battling a snow leopard one night on his sojourn. The instructions have a good photo of the side of the fuselage where you can just make out the artwork.
The Bf 110 E-2 trop “Wespen” is ironically in a semi winter finish: RLM 21 partially over the RLM 74 and RLM 75 upper surfaces and sides. The winter scheme is a great excuse to do some heavy weathering.
The Bf 109 F-4 trop is another interesting subject regarding the upper camouflage finish. The splinter camouflage comprises of RLM 70/75/79. It’s also unusual in that it has two different badges on the fuselage: II./JG 3 and III/JG 3.
Exito Decals state that none of these marking options have previously been reproduced in decal form.
The decal sheet is printed by Cartograf of Italy, which speaks volumes for their quality. Colour density is very good and there is virtually no carrier film to be seen. The definition and registration as you can see in the close-up photos is exceptional. In my sample there was a choice of full or partial Hakenkreuz.
Exito Decals are not just about the decals as the colour profiles are superb. The quality of the print is so good, you could frame them and hang them on the wall. The three double sided A4 sized colour profiles each covering one of the three marking options is printed on gloss paper. One side has two side profiles and the other has plan view above aircraft. There are scrap views of the detail of the outer section of the underside of the wing. Period photos of two of the depicted aircraft are included in the profile. The excellent illustrations are created by Janusz Swiatlon and Anders Hjortsberg.
Paint references for the Yak-1b utilise AK Interactive and Akan paints as well as the AMT reference number. For the two Luftwaffe subjects AK Interactive and Mr Hobby paints are used as well as the relevant RLM reference number.
This decal release is also available in 1:72 scale [ED72013]
Conclusions
The real value of decal releases like this is providing something different in the way of markings for your build. Model manufacturers don’t always find the most interesting marking options for their releases. The quality of decals printed by Cartograf speak for themselves. Exito Decals has gone to some trouble to produce high quality colour profiles or perhaps prints is a better description. I can see these being framed and hanging on my workshop walls. If I was to be highly critical, I did find it difficult to match some of the paint chips with the art work of the Bf 110.
Highly recommended and a great price too at €12.93 from Exito online shop. I’m now going to see if I can get hold of an Eduard quarter scale Bf 110 E
Our thanks to Exito Decals for this review sample
ED48013 - 1:48 Eastern Front Fighters vol.2 - Yak 1b - Bf 110 - Bf 109 – 1:48
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