Iliad Designs makes a bunch of decals with really great schemes in all the popular scales. The object of this set is the P-38J with several kits being available. I had a Tamiya kit looking for some markings so I jumped at the chance to review the decals.

Inside the package there is a single sheet of well printed decals with two full color instructions sheets with profiles of the plane and details associated with the plane as well as top and bottom profiles. There are markings for five planes covering everything from natural metal, OD over neutral gray and one with medium sea gray and a black bottom. Note that ONLY the markings are included. Stencils and all need to be sourced from the kit or elsewhere. The markings are:

• P-38J, 79th FS, 20th FG June 1944, “Gentle Annie”

• P-38J, 80th FS, 8th FG, New Guinea, Late 1944

• P-38J 7th FG, United Kingdom, Experimental Intruder scheme (Medium Sea Grey and Black) “Miss Ann”

I am familiar with Green Stuff World but was unaware that they branched out into water-slide decals. They have done so with a varied selection of after-market sets that will help you with your next project. (In particular are the three different sets of graffiti art!)

This review concerns itself with their Pin-Up Girls decal set. There are two sheets in the package with twelve different 'girls' depicted along with roundels that could be used separately or as background for the ladies. German and Japanese 'kill markings' are included along with stars and assorted shark-faced bombs.

Each decal, thoughtfully provided in left- and right-hand versions, is printed in three different scales (28mm / 1/58, 32mm/ 1/54, and 54mm/1/32). They are, however, more than adaptable to just about any scale. Color definition and detail is excellent with minimal carrier film.

Recently HAD Models released several sets of decals specifically for US Navy F-14 aircrew. I don’t know if the translation program messed up when the title was translated into English, but these sets actually provide decals for the helmet markings and the flight suit patches for the arms and chest for Tomcat aircrews. It appears that these sets were originally created for 1/32 scale pilots and RIOs (Radar Intercept Officers – backseaters in the F-14) as the instructions state that the decals were scaled for Aerobonus 1/32 scale ejection seats and flight crew models, and then scaled down to 1/48 and 1/72 scale.

With the release of the Special Hobbies and Sabre Kits, the Piper L-4 kits the market cried out for some marking options. Iliad Designs answered the call with their L-4 offering.

Enclosed in a 6 x 9 Ziploc baggie, are an instruction sheet and one sheet of decals. The instructions are in full color on both sides for SIX colorful options. They are just not the plain-jane OD over Neutral Grey, although there are four, but there is also a silver doped one and one in sand camouflaged. For those looking for something different, there is one French aircraft and one with D-Day stripes with a French fin flash. How about a US Navy one? Yup, Iliad has you covered. The side views are on the front and the plan views are on the back. A little bit of the history of each aircraft is covered on the front side.

I’m not sure who printed the decals, but they are very crisp with good color saturation. They look suitably thin, as well as, being in perfect register.

No one can argue that being a war correspondent is anything but dangerous work. Journalists who choose this branch of their profession face death, kidnapping, torture and more on a regular basis, as well as dealing with the repercussions this activity can have on their family lives back home. All of this is especially true in this age, where the “Press” label affords far less protection than it has in the past.

ICM is no stranger to controversial or challenging subjects, and this package offers a selection of figures that can be utilized in a wide variety of contemporary settings, not just the Ukrainian conflict. This set includes a camerawoman, a video cameraman, an interviewer with microphone and a standing Ukrainian soldier. I believe the journalists are supposed to represent international correspondents (rather than Ukrainian) as the PRESS markings are in English on both their helmets and vests.