Eagle Editions has released a 1/32 scale sheet for the pending HK Models B-25 “Strafer” which represent the 345th Bomb Group, the Air Apaches. For those who don’t know, the Air Apaches were a Bomb Group based in New Guinea in WWII who flew the B-25J. They flew missions against shipping, ground emplacements, and flak positions using the B-25 bomber not only for its intended purpose but also for strafing almost anything. One thing they also had was very distinctively marked ships. The tails were marked with stylized Indians and the planes marked as bats, parrots, and many other things with great nose art. A modeler’s dream come true.

HK Models’ B-25J Strafer is reviewed here at http://web.ipmsusa3.org/content/b-25j-strafer . The kit is now arriving in the US and these decals give the builder three markings for this kit:

• B-25J-22, Fatso, BuNo 44-29588; OD over gray with nose art
• B-25J-11, 199, BuNo 43-36199; OD over gray with replacement metal nose
• B-25J-32, Betty’s Dream, BuNo 44-30944; OD over gray with bat logo on nose

This package includes a full color sheet which includes histories of the planes and pertinent modeling information, including notes on the pilots and planes. The instruction sheet also includes color call outs, decal placement, and 3-view drawings. There are two separate decals sheets. The first includes national insignia and propeller markings, and notes the difference in national insignia colors. The second sheet contains all the needed markings for each plane, including nose art and build numbers.

The decal printing is superb with excellent register and color. I have used Eagle Editions decals in the past on many Luftwaffe kits and they worked wonderfully with the MicroSol/MicroSet system. I think Jerry and Judy Crandall, researcher Mark Proulx, and the rest of their group have another hit on their hands and I can’t wait for the B-25J to hit the shelves. This will give me a chance to use this well-researched and well-printed set. One other thing to note, these decals are a very reasonable price. My thanks are to Eagle Editions for the chance to review this excellent set of markings and IPMS for the opportunity to review them.