People often ask why do people build so many 109s?  These sheets are indicative as to why, they are colorful and the camouflage is never boring.  The latest set of decals from noted aviation historians Jerry and Judy Crandall at Eagle Editions covers aircraft depicted in the book “Graf & Grislawski, A Pair of Aces” by Christer Bergstrom and Claes Sundin (ISBN 0972106049).  If you are a Luftwaffe or Bf-109 fan than these decals are a must.  These decals, like the rest of Eagle Editions offerings are well researched and accurate.  I had a question as why one aircraft (Tulip nosed Red or Black 2) in the book wasn’t offered and Jerry told me it was because they couldn’t be sure of the whole aircraft camo pattern and markings.  That is the level of accuracy and attention to detail you get from Eagle Editions.

 The decals are very thin, opaque and in perfect register.  The aircraft are colorful and cover variants from the E-1 to the G-5/6.  The evolution on the 109s flown by these two pilots is perfect example of the camouflage evolution in the Luftwaffe fighter arm.  There is something here for everybody from RLM 65/02/70 to an all RLM 76 airplane.  If you like yellow noses than you will have to look no further as there are plenty of them.  These aircraft have to rank up there in the gaudy category.  Yellow noses, rudders, wing stripes, wing tips and large yellow numbers it makes you wonder why they bothered with camouflage at all.

 EC#64 covers four Bf-109F-4 aircraft.  All the machines are in the standard RLM 74/75/76 color scheme.  Two machines by each ace are covered.  I particularly liked Graf’s “Yellow 1” with the 100 kill markings on the tail and the Karaya Staffel emblem below the cockpit from May 1942.  Graf’s “Yellow 1” is also covered for March 1942 timeframe.  Grislawski’s “Yellow 4” and “Yellow 5” are covered.  

EC#65 is the next offering and covers the transitions from the Friedrich to the Gustav. There are two G-2s and two F-4s with three machines belonging to Grislawski.  The coolest looking aircraft on this sheet is Grislawski’s F-4 with a heavy over spray of RLM 70 making it look very green.  The remaining aircraft Grislawski’s “Yellow 9” features weird looking squared off numbers and an all yellow cowling.  Another “Yellow 9” this time with the more traditional numbers, but includes the Karaya heart.  Graf’s “Yellow 11” is very similar to Grislawski’s machine.

 EC#66 features a couple of early 109s.  The aircraft that catches my eye here is “Yellow 9” with it’s large sized squared off number and yellow bands on the wings.  There are two versions of this airplane available.  One before the cowling and tail are painted yellow and one after.  For those of you who like unit markings “Black 17” has a unique marking for 2./Erg JGr. on a RLM 65/02/70 style of camouflage.  The last machine is a G-2 from Graf with heavy mottling and a victory tally on the tail of over 150.  This aircraft also has the Karaya heart with Inge through it.

 EC#67 contains two aircraft per ace and is it beautiful.  The first aircraft to standout is a G-5/6 in an all RLM 76, which is heavily overstayed on most of the markings as well as the previous camouflage.  A G-4 “White 9” of Grislawski is perfect for those looking for some variation on the Hasegawa G-4 boxing.  It has the Stammkennzeichen on the wings and fuselage and a unique 105 victory markings on the tail.  “Yellow 10” of Grislawski is provided and it is a colorful G-2.  The final aircraft is a traditional G-6 with Gruppen Kommodore markings for either Graf or Deiter Hrabak.

 There are plenty of gems on these sheets.  I highly recommend all of them.   Each 1/72^nd and 1/48^th scale sheet is priced at $9.00.  1/32^nd decals cost $10.50 each. 

 Thanks goes to Eagle Editions for the review copies.

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