Without a doubt, one of the best Italian fighters of WW.II were the DB.605 powered aircraft from Fiat, Reggianne and Macchi. The one that was most used was the Macchi C.205 'Veltro'. IT was able to enter service early enough to be used by the Reggia Aeronautica and later by the German-controlled ANR. Several were also used by the Co-Belligerent Air Force during the later year of the war and post-war.

If you haven't been introduced to Sky Models decal sheets, then you are in for a real treat. Sky has a basic outlook on decal sheets that is a bit different from what we in the US have come to expect from our 'local' decal makers. Here, each sheet has from one to perhaps 6-7 subject and provides common markings for many of what are on the sheet.

Sky, however has taken a different track. Each Sky sheet has literally dozens of subjects on the sheet, but provides common markings for very few of them; at times with the 1/48 sheets, only one can be built straight from the sheet. The theory is that the average modeler who gets aftermarket sheets won't build more than one of the aircraft offered. To allow more room for choices, the common markings are deliberately skimped on. In theory, if a modeler wants to do another option or two, then either kit decals or separate aftermarket insignia and data sheets can be used for those kits. It is a sound way of doing things and offers a real bargain to the decal sheet buyer.

Sky sheets are printed by Cartograf and so the printing is superb. Decals are crisp, in register and have vibrant colors that just are not matched. In order to get these vibrant colors, the more transparent of them, notably red and yellow, are backed up with a particularly opaque white. This makes several of the decals a bit thicker than what one sees from some other companies.

When I said that all units were on this sheet, I wasn't far from wrong. This sheet contains markings for 38 separate aircraft in a number of different camouflage schemes. There are aircraft from the RA, ANR, and Co-Belligerent air forces. They are in dark green over light grey, sand over light grey with green 'smoke rings' and mottling. There are also RLM 74/75/76 painted versions with the ANR in a variety of schemes.

The instruction booklet gives basically profiles with one overhead shot for insignia placement. A color guide on the back gives FS 595, Humbrol, Molak, Tamiya, Gunze, and Testors paint references. There is also a list of sources from whence the markings were gleaned. A couple of the pages are duplicated at the beginning of the review.

All in all, Sky sheets are probably the best 'bang for the buck' when it comes to aftermarket decals. If you can't find them locally, then they can be obtained from the link below.

Review copy courtesy of Pacific Coast Models. Thanks for your support.

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