Eagle Editions EagleCal

1/32-48-72 Bf-110 C/D

Sheet Number: EC-119

Reviewed by  Robert DeMaio, IPMS# 45186

MSRP: $12.00 Review copy courtesy of Eagle Editions LTD: www.eagle-editions.com Eagle Editions has produced decals for Germany's Bf-110 C/D World War II twin engine Fighter-Bomber. They are available in all three scales: 1/72, 1/48, and 1/32. For review here is the 1/32 scale package that consists of two full sheets and another small sheet in order to fit all the decals for three choices of aircraft. The decals I choose to use ( see the review of my Dragon Bf-110 kit on this website ) were the Bf-110 C, code letters D5-KS of 8./NJG 3, that was part of Operation Donnerkeil (Thunderbolt). The second choice of decals offered is a Bf-110 C-4, code L1-DH, in an overall black painted aircraft scheme in Benghazi, 1941. A third choice is a Bf-110 D, code M8-SP, but offers no historical location of this aircraft. All markings to these three aircraft are without Work Numbers. The instruction fold-out sheet provides you with nice color side profiles and upper and lower paint schemes, but with some confusion. I found the camouflaged paint scheme that continued around from the upper pattern to the left side not to follow the pattern, while the right side profile was missing completely. Be careful if you use this as a reference and think out the pattern. Line illustrations indicate the location of the smaller stencil makings, but again, not that clear in some of them I'm sure that the company is more concerned about the decals than the completeness of the instructions, but the modeler still needs to know placement accuracy. The registration on the decals was on target! No overlap of any kind and the flash was so extremely minimal; I didn't feel it necessary to trim them. While the decal was soaking in water for about 30 seconds, I spread a small amount of Solvaset on the model surface then transfer the decal to the model. The water from the decal mixes and dilutes the Solvaset to give you enough time to place the decal in position. I found these decals to be a perfect weight and thickness to apply. I applied the black cross insignia decals first on Testors Model Master paints thinned and airbrushed that dry perfectly in a semi gloss finish. The real test was the stencil lettered decals, and they adhered onto the surface perfectly. But wait! There's more! The shark teeth! The two piece killer of decals to fit a multitude of nose compound curves. Because the Solvaset reacts very fast on the decal, I wet the nose with a little water instead and worked with one half at a time and eye-balled the front center. The instruction profile sheet shows the upper teeth edge in a straight line when it isn't. A Squadron Signal Bf-110 book was used for picture references. Even though the decal has a slit where the mouth is, be prepared to cut and slice a couple of excess spots with a sharp Xacto blade to conform to the contours. This isn't a bad thing by any means. Just make the cuts where the decal bulges up. I have many years of modeling experience to know that was going to happen, and that is where the Solvaset completed the job to sock down the decal. Applying Solvaset to the decal surface softened the decal perfectly without patting it at all. When it dried completely, I used the sharp Xacto blade to cut out the mouth's cannon portals. Excellent decals worth getting if you want great results building any of these versions. The instructions indicate that the decals can be adapted for the Revell 1/32 scale kit also. Reference material: Squadron Signal Aircraft in Action number 30. Thank you Eagle Edition LTD for the opportunity to review the decals.