Hello folks,
I would like to do a short review of two sets of U-boat decals that are newly available from Luftfahrtverlag Start, the folks responsible for the U-Boot im Focus and Luftwaffe im Focus series of magazines. The two sets of decals are as follows -
Typ VII C - 1:72
Typ II B + VII C - 1:144
Above can be seen the booklet that accompanies the decals. The booklets follow the same high quality format as the U-Boot im Focus series.
Above can be seen photos of each decal set. They cover the following boats -
72nd set - U 93 (both the devil and the Hallo wie gehts?), U 96, U 257, U 258, U 403, U 454, U 575, U 581, U 588. Also included is "Unbekanntes VIIC", which is a set of teeth for either side of the bow. As a bonus, there is a set of decals in 35th scale for the XXIII U 4709.
144th set - U 10 (Type IIB), U 24 (Type IIB), U 93 (both the devil and the Hallo wie gehts?), U 96, U 257, U 403, U 454, U 581, U 588. (The U 10 and U 24 decals can be used on the ICM 144th IIB kit).
The U-Boot im Focus magazines are always of the highest quality, both in presentation and research, so it is no surprise that these decal sets conform to the same high standard. The decals were very easy to use and adhere well.
As for the accuracy of the designs, the decals can be compared with a photo of the real boat which is included in the accompanying booklet. All the designs look exactly as the emblem was on the real boats.
The photos above provide an example of the detail that can be found in the accompanying booklet. There are two very helpful inclusions in the booklet. Firstly, the photo of the real boat in which the emblem is clearly visible allows correct placement on the conning tower. Secondly, the information that is provided includes the patrol number (feindfahrten) when the emblem was present on the boat. Dates of the patrol are also provided. This is particularly useful as this type of information is usually absent from decal instructions.
Both decals are highly recommended and can be ordered from their website (16.50 Euro each + shipping) at -
http://www.luftfahrtverlag-start.de/decals.en.html My thanks to Luftfahrtverlag-Start for the review sample.
Dougie
Accurate Model Parts
