Xtradecal X48158: Meteor F.8 pt.1

With the recent release of the Airfix 1/48 Meteor F.8, it was expected that one might be looking for an aftermarket sheet. This one is a sheet I located on line. I am unsure if it is designed for the Airfix kit or was something designed for the Classic Airframes kit of many years past. The sheet does not say wither way so it is hoped that it will fit both.

There are eight markings options with most of them in overall aluminum paint, which the RAF called High Speed Silver. Two of them are in some form of camouflage and that will be noted when the plane is described.

First option is  the wing commander's plane from RAF Aldergrove in 1957. This one has a black tail with the color bands of 19, 72 and 85 squadrons on eithe4r side of the roundel.

Next is a Belgian plane from 13 day fighter squadron. This one has red on the tip of the nose and the edge of the engine intakes.

With a yellow tail with red bullet is a plane of 604 squadron. This one has the early canopy.

Also with the early canopy is a 222 squadron plane wit the fin in red and black checkers.

The first camouflaged plane is a Syrian air force plane from 1956. This one is in dark green, light stone over PRU blue.

Two RAAF planes are next, both having participated in the Korean war. Both have early canopies and are rather bare of special markings. Note that RAAF Meteors were outfitted with rockets under the wing and the intial boxing of the Airfix Meteor does not include these.

Finally, in dark sea grey and dark green over silver is a 610 squadron plane.

There are enough insignia to do the Syrian, Belgian, and one RAF plane. All stencil and data markings will need to be gleaned from the kit sheet. The decals themselves are nicely printed by Microscale. Full instructions are provided showing left, right, upper and lower views of each option. In all, a very nice sheet that I plan to use on my Airfix Meteor.

June 2016

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