Kagero’s limited edition (Red Series) 1/32 scale Pacific P-51D/F-6D Mustang decals is welcome news for large-scale Mustang fans. This is part #1 of what I assume will be a continuing series of beautiful sheets offered by them. Evidently, this sheet is sized to fit the Tamiya kit, but it’s not mentioned in the documents. The decals were printed by Cartograf and are crystal clear and look outstanding. Because of my slow progress building my own Mustang, I didn’t try to apply them. I didn’t think applying decals on bare plastic would really be very effective, although it did seem to work when I was 6. Anyway, the 8 page color documents are first rate. The artwork shows large, color profiles of both sides of the fuselage and the top and bottom of the wings. Also included is a brief history of each aircraft, accompanied by sketches of the pilots.

• P-51D-25-NA 44-72671 flown by Lt. William Saks, 457th FS, and 506th FG based at North Field, Iwo Jima June 1945. “The Enchantress”
• P-51D-25-NA 44-72570 flown by Lt. Ralph S. Gardner and 2nd Lt. Chester Jatczak, 457th FS, 506th FG based at North Field, Iwo Jima June 1945. “Fighting Lady”
• F-6D-10-NA 44-14841 flown by Capt. William A. Shomo, 82nd TRS, based at Hill Field, Mindoro, 12 January 1945.

The nose art on the two P-51D’s is very nicely depicted.

I thought this was really cool – the two 457th FS aircraft are shown retrofitted with the AN/APS-13 radio vertical fin antennas. The reason I say this is I already committed my Tamiya build for this configuration, so I was relieved to see that I have other decal options. Color chart references show color chips for each aircraft and listings for ANA and FS color matches. On the last page of the reference booklet is a photo tutorial of how to best apply the decals. Hmm, I could have really used that when I was 6. There are also options for dive sights on the wing leading edges. I haven’t seen these markings offered on too many other sheets in any scale.

I recommend this sheet be used with a supplementary sheet containing exterior/interior placard and stenciling. I haven’t used KAGERO decals before, but I have used other Cartograf-printed decal sheets for years and have always been very pleased with the results.

Thanks to KAGERO and IPMS for providing this outstanding decal sheet for me to review. I highly recommend it.