This is the second decal sheet that Lifelike has released for the Hasegawa 1/48th scale Nakajima Ki-44 Tojo. This particular sheet is unique with the inclusion of a bunch of aircraft with kill markings on the sides.

The decals themselves are printed by Cartograf, so they are very thin and in perfect register. The decals are included on three sheets. The first and largest sheet contains everything but the kill markings. The second sheet is a small sheet that includes ‘scratched’ number ‘2’, which is perfectly executed, and the kill markings. To show you the level of attention to detail, there is a third sheet that is a correction sheet for the one set of kill markings that is finer and better executed than the previous sheet. Well done, Lifelike.

I like to articulate my flight controls, but I can never get it to look just right. The biggest hassle is the curved portion on the flight controls themselves. Quickboost offers a solution. Molded in light grey resin with no blemishes, a Bf-109F rudder and two elevators with rounded leading edges are now offered as a solution to that problem.

You will have to cut the horizontal tail surfaces and bevel the attachment area, but this wasn’t too difficult. I did this with Dymo tape and a scribing tool. Once the part was removed, the parts were trued up and then the bevel was done with a round file. All this ensured a proper fit. I pinned the elevators to the plastic piece to allow me to install and adjust the elevators to the same angle. Everything is relatively easy and within the realm of most modelers.

I elected not to use the rudder at this time, but the same process would be used for it as well.

I will not hide the fact I've always been a huge fan of the Supermarine Spitfire and specifically the Merlin-engined marks. Kagero has released volume #27 in the Topcolors series and this one certainly does not disappoint. This publication is dedicated to Polish Spitfires, specifically to eight machines ranging from a Mk I to a Mk XVI.

What your money buys you is a stunning publication with a beautifully printed glossy cover and 18 stunning pages of profile drawings of the eight Polish machines. Also included is a sheet of decals representing all eight schemes presented in the book. I shouldn't forget to mention the fact the decals are printed by Cartograf. The publication and decal set arrives in a re-sealable plastic bag which I thought to be a nice touch to preserve and protect your investment. I would hope more companies would provide this type of service like Kagero.