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The new HK B-25”H” model in 1/32nd – we are
assured it will hit the shelves in the US this week – well the decals
supplied aren’t the strongest part of the kit – we have a remedy however – in the
form of EagleCals sheet EC#146 – three different markings
choices for three colourful ships – let’s look at the decal sheet a bit closer
and show you the real aircraft to compare the accuracy shall we?
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Kit: HK Models B-25 H
Scale: 1/32
Sheets: 2
Markings choices: 3
Eatin' Kitty B-25H-10
43-4909
Clana Louise
B-25H-1 43-4345
Dutch B-25H-5
43-4498
Printed by: Cartograf
of Italy
Price: $18.50
Where to buy? Eagle
Editions Directly
As I was saying….. You can almost be sure that the choices for the new – otherwise-excellent Mitchell “H” model in 32nd from HK Models will suffer in the decal department – to remedy our decal pain we have EagleCals’ new sheet here – number EC#146 – and on that sheet we have three pretty colourful birds to complete the quality finish of the kit – but before we look at these aircraft and the pictures of them in actual service let’s start with what’s inside the pack and the quality thereof.
As I was saying….. You can almost be sure that the choices for the new – otherwise-excellent Mitchell “H” model in 32nd from HK Models will suffer in the decal department – to remedy our decal pain we have EagleCals’ new sheet here – number EC#146 – and on that sheet we have three pretty colourful birds to complete the quality finish of the kit – but before we look at these aircraft and the pictures of them in actual service let’s start with what’s inside the pack and the quality thereof.
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The instructions are very helpful – they open up to give you
a painting template for painting the nose of “Clana Louise” (you will need some
making tape) and placement of the Hamilton standard prop decals. You are given
three profiles form side on as well as top down and underwing decal placement
guides which take the guesswork out of decal positions.
There is text accompanying the three aircraft there - Pilots
and particulars of each aircraft
including whether they had gun packs and the colours of each are
included as well as a little about the history of each aircraft.
Credit is given for the research to the peerless Mark Proulx
who does most of Eagle Cals research and rarely (if ever) puts a foot wrong
with his research.
The decals themselves are thick and shiny – this would be a
problem usually but I have used these decals which are printed by Cartograf of
Italy before – they are actually really tough and can be handled and
manipulated a lot before setting if kept wet which is a bonus for any large
decals and especially the nose markings. I have used their decals a few time and found
them to adhere strongly and to sink nicely into the many tiny rivets that are
on this kit.
I am really sorry I do not have a Mitchell wing to practice
this decal on – BUT I have used EagleCals decals before on both of my P-51D Mustang and Pacific Coast Fw-190A3 kit and can
tell you that although they look quite thick and glossy these decals settle
down into holes and are able to be handled a lot in use. I really like them and
would vouch for them totally. Cartograf has a great name in the business and it
is easy to see why when they print such high quality decals.
Here are the decals
of an earlier sheet I placed on the Wing of a Tamiya Mustang – with the same sized rivets as the ones on
this kit
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The details of the printing on the sheets are fine and
precise – the colours are strong and the whites are not opaque. The decals are in
register and there is no erroneous printing – kind of what you would expect but
nice to see no one has fallen asleep on the job! Top in the quality stakes as
usual from Eagle Cals.
There is a sheet of national marking for the wings and
fuselage supplied with enough for two of the three of the aircraft – your kit
decals will suffice if you need more – include interestingly are the more faded
blue sometimes seen on the aircraft of
this period. There are more than enough Hamilton standard propeller decals to
go around as well!
The carrier film on these decals is pretty minimal – I held
this decal to the light so you can see a rough ratio – it is good that they
have tried to use as little as possible when these were printed.
Included on the sheet are decals for 3 USAAF cannon armed
Mitchells: B-25H-10 s/n 43-4909 'Eatin' Kitty' of the 12th BG, October 1943;
B-25H-1 s/n 43-4345 'Clana Louise' of the 345th BG, May 1944 and B-25H-5 s/n
43-4498 'Dutch' of the 42nd BG in mid-1944. – let’s look at them individually
with some pictures of the original aircraft in service…
B-25H-10 Eatin' Kitty - 12th BG, October 1943 (s/n 43-4909)
Belonging to the 82nd Bomb Squadron of the 12th Bomb Group
"B-25 Eatin' Kitty" had a path through the 321st, then 340thBG and is
a really well known scheme when it comes to B-25H’s and is sure to be popular.
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In Olive drab oversides with neutral grey undersides this
kite had a large “43” painted on the twin vertical stabilisers along with its
serial number painted in yellow. The colourful nose art was painted by Norman L
Harms and you can see it in the pictures below with the artwork by Eagle Cals a
very close match..JPG)
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B-25H-1 "Clana Louise" Unit:, USAAF Serial:
43-4345 Nadzab, New Guinea during 1944. The aircraft is camouflaged in standard
Olive Drab over Neutral Gray, with yellow cowl rings and white vertical
stabilizers. 'CLANA LOUISE' is in yellow with black shadow edging. The aircraft
is not equipped with the side package guns commonly used on gunship.
- Yes i know these are "J" models but you get the point - i want to show you the "Green Falcons" nose markings - the same as this "H" model
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The whole squadron had the colourful “Falcons” nose art
which – along with the big cannon and several machine guns would have scared
the heck out of any Japanese opposition I would think – that combined with low
level tactics and the sound of the two radials of the Mitchell!!
I found many pictures of aircraft from this squadron but
none of this particular aircraft - so im
sorry but I do have many other pics to show you the falcon head that you are supplied
decals and painting template for.
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B-25H-5 “Dutch” (s/n 43-4498)
"Dutch," was a B-25H named by its pilot, first Lt.
Donald C. Robertson, after his wife’s nickname. It was an all NMF bird – quite clean
in markings except national markings and aircraft serial numbers on the tail –
of course as well as the lovely nose art of Robertson’s wife.
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Roy Anderson the co-pilot at the time of this photo being
taken - is pictured here in the cockpit in this wartime photo – you can see the
similarity in the artwork from Eaglecals here.
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Another picture of the front end - with
five of the six bomber’s crew - showing off the nose art - I think this is a very nice reproduction and brings a touch of neat class to an otherwise often beaten up aircraft, a great point of difference to a beaten up O/D aircraft!
With this set of decals you have the trinity worked out –
top quality decal quality from Cartograf that work very well, great artwork
that match the precise research - that
will do me for a decal set – ohh and don't forget the great choices – I believe
ill be doing a bit of “Eatin’ Kitty” when the kit comes onto my bench!
Well done again EagleCals.
Adam Norenberg
My many thanks to
Judy and Jerry at EagleCals – check out their new website where you can get these decals directly.
