Yankee Merlin Roars!!! (Part 1)

Published on
July 28, 2020
Review Author(s)
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$16.95
Product / Stock #
A48-001
Base Kit
Any P-51B or D
Provided by: A.M.D.G. Decals
Cover Image

I’ve heard some modelers say they can’t have too many Mustangs. For those who believe that, there is a decal company that seems to believe it too. A.M.D.G. Decals is a new company from Poland that is off to a great start…releasing four P-51 decal sets titled YANKEE MERLIN ROARS!!! (Parts I – IV), and they provide everything needed in each set to decal four different a/c. When I say everything, I do mean everything. The decal sheet included in each set is packed with about as much as anyone could hope for. Check out the photo below to verify that.

The ‘ABOUT US’ tab on A.M.D.G Decals website provides modelers with an idea of the company’s dedication to quality, accuracy and completeness…a philosophy that is certainly reflected in their product. But, while acknowledging in the website’s closing paragraph, like many others in the hobby A.M.D.G. Decals is ‘Modelers for modelers’, owner Michal Adamczyk says he also wants it to be recognized as a ‘fun hobby business’ and one that is committed to commemorating the real men, their planes, units and, in a word: HISTORY.

As the photos below show, the fold out instruction sheets included in A.M.D.G. Decals’ sets reflect this goal. They are printed on both sides and not only provide full-color profile and plan view illustrations for each subject covered in the set with very comprehensive painting guidelines, they also provide guidelines for painting invasion stripes and include specific details about each aircraft and considerable historical information about the plane and its pilot, unit, location and date. Added to this are photo-references notes and kit recommendations.

The decals themselves are crisply printed on thin film. Colors are vivid and opaque, and everything is well registered. Options are provided to use small pre-registered decals for kill markings, checkerboard trim and other multi-color markings or separate ones for the modeler to register over one another. And, each of the markings is clearly identified with numbers that coincide with those on the instruction sheet for accurate placement.

The first set (Part 1 - #A48-001) of YANKEE MERLIN ROARS!, provides markings for the following:

  • P-51B-1-NA s/n 43-12152, ‘KILLER’, flown by Capt. Robert W. Stephens, 355 FS/354 FG, at Lashenden, UK, (May, 1944)
  • P-51B-5-NA s/n: 43-6935, ‘Hurry Home Honey’, flown by Capt. Richard Peterson, 364 FS/357 FG, at Leiston, UK (June, 1944)
  • P-51B-5-NA s/n: 43-6461, ‘HOT PANTS’, flown by Lt. Wilson K. Baker, 370 FS/359 FG, at East Wretham, UK (August, 1944)
  • P-51D-20-NA s/n: 44-64148, ‘Happy IV’, flown by Col. William C. Clark, 504 FS/339 FG, at Fowlmere, UK (April, 1945)

Currently, YANKEE MERLIN ROARS!!! sets are available in 1:48 scale only. But modelers in other scales will be happy to know that A.M.D.G. Decal’s website indicates they also plan to release this set (Part I) in 1:72, 1:32 & 1:24 scale. It should prove to be popular in all scales.

A.M.D.G. Decals are available directly from the manufacturer or from two retailers: Hannants in the UK and Victory Models in the US.

This set is highly recommended. My thanks to A.M.D.G. Decals for providing the review sample and IPMS/USA for the opportunity to review it.

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