Spada Decals LL Bcat01/FR: French Bearcats

Sheet #

  Spada Decals LL Bcat01/FR: French Bearcats

Price:

€11.00

Units:

All of them

Review By:

Scott Van Aken

Notes:

1/32 scale

This final new sheet from Spada covers the French Bearcat. Spada has no fewer than 27 aircraft possibilities on this sheet, several of them with alternate markings. I have shown only one side of the markings sheet with 14 options. The other side is quite similar. Instructions are mostly in French, including the brief history of each plane so there is not much I can really tell you regarding these aircraft.

One thing I can mention is that these all seem to be F8F-1s, all the markings information comes from photograhps, so there is no guesswork, and all Bearcats were operated by the Armee d'l Air and not by the French Navy. I also believe that most were cannon armed.

 For a kit, I believe that only Trumpeter offers this one in 1/32 scale. But like other Laser Line sheets, this one is available in all the popular scales. The sheets are all with a single carrier, requiring the markings to be individually cut out. Those on the white sheet have outlines to help with this task. I suggest a coating with Microscale Decal Film just to provide a bit of extra protection against damage. Spada has provided enough insignia to enable you to do two complete aircraft from what is supplied on the sheet. You may also notice that there are two different shades of roundel centers as some appear to be a bit darker than others.

It is a superb set and can be purchased on-line from the link below.

June 2008

Review copy courtesy Spada Decals. You can reach them at www.spada-decals.com

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