Background and Historical Notes

From DXM Hobby Studio’s Decal Notes

These decal sheets provide some very colorful markings for five of the U.S. Navy’s F-1B/J Phantom squadrons, covering markings from the years 1968 – 1976. There is one a/c from VMFA-115 ‘Silver Eagles’ aboard the USS Forrestal in 1981, two a/c from squadron VMFA-451 ‘Warlords’ and two a/c from VF-96 ‘Fighting Falcons’.

This 1/48^th scale sheet is intended for use with either the Academy, Hasegawa, Italeri, Revell, Tamiya or Zoukei Mura kits. That allows you to complete either an F-4B or F-4J from one of six alternate kits.

Background and Historical Notes

From DXM Hobby Studio’s Decal Notes

These decal sheets provide some very colorful markings for eight of the U.S. Navy’s F-14B Tomcat squadrons, covering markings from the years 2001 – 2004. These are all from VF-103 ‘Jolly Rogers’ squadron, and all display either high visibility or low vis aircraft flying NAS Oceana.

This 1/48^th scale sheet is intended for use with either the Hasegawa, Great Wall or Hobby Boss kits.

Summary

This kit is a re-boxing of ICM’s Do 217M-1 WWII German bomber (Kit 48274), but with a new decal set of RAF markings for a captured aircraft.

As with other ICM kits, this one is overflowing with detail and precise engineering.

Background

The following is taken from the ICM instructions.

“The German Do 217M-1 bomber was a variant of the Do 217 series, equipped with DB 603A engines producing 1,750 horsepower. Combined with four-blade propellers, this significantly improved the bomber’s flight performance and increased its maximum speed to 557 km/h, though at the cost of reduced range. The Do 217M-1 served with Luftwaffe bomber and reconnaissance squadrons until the end of World War II.

Reskit has issued a 3D printed cockpit for ICM’s 1/35^th scale CH-54A or S-64E Tarhe. There are versions of this from Reskit primarily with and without 3D printed instruments like the ones I reviewed last in my Reskit F-111E review. This set does not include the printed instrument panels but does includes more than 30 3D printed parts. Also included are acetates for the instrument panels, decals and small printed sheet for magazines that can be added. These are all packaged in a well-padded box containing the parts and their supports and boxes.

Double Xcellent Model, DXM, from Tawain has provided the IPMS/USA reviewer corps with a set of painting stencils (weathering/rusted) to give a splotchy/mottle look to your kits. These are made from a soft silicone material and can conform over complex surfaces. These should be used in conjunction with an airbrush to get the best results.

In the Package

DXM provided four different stencils each individually packaged.

• Type 1 is a random jagged edge stencil.
• Type 2 is similar to Type 1 but with smaller holes.
• Type 3 has more rounded holes of varying sizes.
• Type 4 is a smaller version of Type 1 & 3 and on one sheet.

Types 1, 2, & 3 are titled as “Dual Effects” since on side has a flush surface to allow for a more solid demarcation line when place on the surface. The other side has a space or bilevel edge to create a softer demarcation line.