Sheet:

Aeromaster 72-197: Early Butcher Birds pt I

Units: See Review

Price

$8.50

Reviewer:

Scott Van Aken

It isn't usual for there to be many new 1/72 sheets from US decal producers. This one is for the very early FW-190s and contains markings for five planes. Most of them are in RLM 74/75/76 with varying degrees in mottling; from nearly none to rather heavily applied. Nearly all have yellow rudders and a yellow lower cowling, except where noted. For kits, most will latch onto the Tamiya FW-190A-3 and that is what is recommended. It will need some modification to bring it to A-4 standards, but not much is really needed other than the fin tip. There are other 1/72 early 190s to choose from, such as Sword and Admiral, but the Tamiya is by far the most available (in the US) and the easiest to build.

First up is Oblt. Faber's A-3 variant from III./JG 2 which he basically handed over to the Brits in mid 1942 by accidentally landing on a British airfield!

The rest are all A-4 variants, starting with this striking RLM 71 over 76 painted plane from 1./JG 51 on the Eastern Front. The wing tips and fuselage band are in yellow.

From 2./JG 2 is this very standard aircraft with a stylized eagle motif on the forward fuselage to blend in with the black exhaust area.

Black 14 is from 10./JG 26 and has the bomb marking on the aft fuselage for the Jabo staffel.

Finally, this III./JG 2 plane has a red lower cowling to set it apart from the rest on the sheet.

The sheet includes insignia for all and enough common markings for at least two planes.

Review sheet courtesy of my burgeoning decal collection.

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