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Eagle Editions Ltd. |
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1/32 Me-262A-1s EJG2, JG-7 & KG(J)54 |
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Stock Number: EC32-95 |
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Reviewed By Howie Belkin, #16 |
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MSRP: $11.50 USD Eagle Editions EagleCals released this decal sheet as Trumpeter released their new 1/32 Me 262 kits. Full color instructions with historic information on three aircraft are packaged in a re-sealable poly-bag. Designed to fit Trumpeter, I used them on my old Hasegawa 1/32 kit. My kit had off register water damaged decals, so EagleCals saved the day. Eagle Editions registration is dead on, but you align the two part swastikas. I chose Obstl. Heinz Bar’s 12 victory red nosed, red 13 of III./EJG 2. The color scheme suggests RLM 75 Gray-Violet and RLM 74 Gray-Green splinter wings and upper fuselage mottled down to RLM 76 Light Blue. I used Pactra and Testors enamel paints. I built the model for “my shelf.” The 2nd scheme is Major Rudi Sinner’s green 1 as Gruppenkommandeur of III./JG-7 with red and blue fuselage bands (not provided as decals) in what appeared to be an unusual RLM 82 Green and RLM 83 Dark Green splinter scheme over RLM 76 Light Blue undersurfaces. Third is Yellow 3 III./KG(J) 54 displaying a colorful blue and white checkered Reichs band (decal provided) with bomber unit KG 54 Totenkopf (death’s head) on yellow shield even though Hitler’s Me 262 bomber converted to a fighter. Decals provide the hard edged mottle on the tail too. I added Waldron rudder pedals, a Squadron Me 109 seat, kit plastic tires and scanned instrument panel photos to improve my Hasegawa kit. Old enamel paint gave me a rough finish that put Eagle Editions to an unfair test! Using the Future floor wax decal system I made no attempt to eliminate the clear decal film (i.e. the number “13” is one rectangle), and had no decal silvering. Eagle Editions’ decals are thin but tough. I was able to move them around a bit for perfect positioning. One decal folded in upon itself (my extra thumbs) but with a little water I saved it. I let the white swastikas dry overnight before applying and positioning the black decals. Future sucked the EagleCals decals into every crack, crevice, rivet and panel line, even with that rough paint job and lots of clear film they look painted on! I gave Heinz Bar a red rudder but Eagle Editions and others show it mottled. Hasegawa has an armor plated headrest to attach to the inside of the canopy but my limited references didn’t show it on real Me 262s. I asked Ken Robert who had many more photos to look at (and a real one more-or-less in his backyard) and he and I concluded that the armor plate was apparent in only a few photos of very late-war production Me 262s. So if you’re worried about gluing it inside your canopy – don’t!! Extra swastikas are provided but national insignia for only one model - and there are no factory stencils (Trumpeter provides stencils). Dave Morrissette's IPMS Trumpeter review recommends the HobbyDecal 1/32 Me 262 stencils from Design Marketing International. Lucky for us only about 100 Me 262s became operational (thanks in part to the August 1943 Regensburg Messerschmitt factory bombing mission), and their unreliable engines. Eagle Editions makes it possible to build three of them! The decals are thin yet opaque, are easy to work with and have minimal carrier film. I would be especially enthusiastic if complete markings for all three aircraft and decals for canopy frames and instrument panel were included giving greater value for your money. My thanks to Judy and Jerry Crandall from Eagle Editions for the review sample. See or order from Eagle Editions Ltd., P.O. Box 580, Hamilton, MT 59840, Tel: (406) 363-5415, 1-800-255-1830. You’ll also see their second 1/32 scale Me 262 sheet. |
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