Zotz Decals

1/32 North American A-36A Apache in the MTO

Sheet Number: ZTZ32/034

Reviewed by  Roger Rasor, IPMS# 34117

MSRP: $12.00 Website: www.zotzdecals.com Modelers who have seen or purchased any of Zotz decals’ previous sets know that anything that comes from Eli Raphael’s little company is going to be excellent. Zotz decals are crisply printed in vivid colors, well registered and produced on very thin film. The newest release in 1/32 measures up to that high standard and reminds me to add more accolades: Zotz decals are very well researched and among the most accurate available in the hobby. This set, which comes on a single sheet, is designed for the new 1/32 Hobbycraft A-36A kit, and offers builders a choice of markings for three aircraft from the 27th FBG, as they appeared in the summer of 1943. Comparing the decals printed on the sheet with the photos and profiles on the instruction card and those photos published elsewhere verifies their accuracy. The 27th FGB’s unique extra wide field-applied red outlines on the national insignias are well represented, and there are enough insignias on the sheet to accurately replicate the marking found in six positions on two of the aircraft. The sheet covers: "Dorthy Helen", serial No. 283901 (coded AA) flown by John "Jeep" Crowder, of the 524th squadron, finished in OD over Neutral Gray, with yellow theater bands and red outlined stars and bars in six positions. This aircraft also wore a patch of RAF-style poison gas sensitive paint on the fuselage side. "Margie H", serial No. 283665 (coded BE) flown by Captain Lawrence Dye, of the 522nd squadron, finished in OD over Neutral Gray, with yellow theater bands and red outlined stars and bars in six positions. This aircraft displayed a partially painted red spinner in contrast to other a/c in the group that wore full red spinners. "PIGGY III", serial No. 284157 (coded P) flown by Captain Bob Thomas of the 527th squadron, finished in OD over Neutral Gray with yellow theater bands and red outlined stars and bars in four positions. This aircraft displays a misaligned theater band on the Port wing and a total of 72 mission markings. Anyone planning to build the Hobbycraft A-36A kit should check out this set and keep in mind that Zotz decals are limited run offerings that tend to go quickly. So check it out soon and don’t delay purchasing one while they are available. Highly recommended. My thanks to Eli Raphael of Zotz decals and IPMS/USA for the opportunity to review this sample.