Jamo_kiwi

Getting back on topic, here is a Macchi M.5 profile by Peter Green

Have you considered using Aviattic lozenge? Old Propeller also do 5 colour lozenge. Don't think 4 colour would be correct - check your references http://www.aviattic.co.uk/aviattic.co.uk/Welcome.html Cheers James

At the Shizuoka Hobby Show held May 16-19, a pre-production AEG G.IV Posted on HobbyLink's Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/HobbyLinkJapan

Decals for the Wingnut Wings RE8 From Pheon Models First Look review by James Fahey Price £15.00 plus postage and packing RFC/RAF topics are hard work for an after-market decal manufacturer, compared to other WWI combatants, due to the general lack of personalised markings. One PC10 coloured aircraft looks much like another, right? Within the historical constraints Pheon Models have produced some interesting and relatively colourful options with the release of this set. #32038 has markings for 11 operational machines and one allocated to RFC HQ in France for ferrying the top brass around: 1. A3930, “B” 9 Sqn. The Vintage Aviator Ltd finished their RE8 that was built for the RAF Museum in these markings, with a white ‘B’. in his book ‘British Aviation Squadron Markings of WWI’ Les Rogers had the B in blue with white edging. Pheon have provided both options. 2. C2731, “East Grinstead” 5 Sqn. Twin Lewis guns for the observer. East Grinstead is a small town in East Sussex 3. E20, 4 Sqn Has an additional Lewis gun fitted on a modified Foster mount above the wing centre section 4. A3490, 53 Sqn. Has roundels painted on the wheel covers. A crashed RE8 from 59 Squadron features in the WNW instruction booklet. 5. A3224, ‘15’ 21 Sqn. With dumbbell markings 6. A4352, 30 Sqn, Mesopotamia 1918 The inclusion of a Middle East based aircraft allows modellers the license to finish the model in PC12 (chocolate brown) instead of the ubiquitous PC10 (yay!). Alternatively it may have the later AMDPT finish which had a more reddish brown colour 7. C5048, 16 Sqn. Pheon note in their instruction booklet that a third ‘25’ marking for the top fuselage decking was omitted in error. An additional decal is to be printed and distributed at no cost as soon as can be arranged. 8. A3843, 42 Sqn. This RE8 had the glazed centre section (provided in the kit for option B, but painted over) 9. F6016, “Marjorie” 3 Sqn Australian Flying Corp http://www.adf-galle..._8_Serial_F6016 10. A4397, 3 Sqn Australian Flying Corp The Vintage Aviator Ltd finished their first (non-flying) RE8 replica in these markings, which is on display at the Heritage Aviation Centre museum at Omaka, Blenheim, NZ. A.4397 took the record for British Forces as the hardest-working combat aircraft on the Western Front, accumulating 440 hours of service flying and completing 147 flights across the line. It was flown mainly by Captain R. G. Francis. The Kewpie Doll marking inside the aircraft identification letter D (for Doll) is nicely reproduced by Pheon. Further online links for this aircraft: http://www.3squadron...ubpages/RE8.htm http://www.adf-galle..._lines_440hrs_3 At the request of the Australian Government, A.4397 was shipped to Australia after the war, but unfortunately was destroyed in an accidental fire outside the Exhibition Building, Melbourne (where part of the AWM's collection had been temporarily displayed) in 1925. 11. A3855, Aviation Militaire Belge The inclusion of a Begian aircraft certainly offers modellers a distinctive option with its black/yellow/red national markings. 12. A4275, RFC HQ Liaison machine Some modifications to the kit will be necessary to represent this aircraft. It has a large windshield fitted for passenger, the Scarf ring and gun replaced by leather padding and additional foot step on lower longeron. Pheon speculate other internal modifications may also have been made such as a wicker seat for the top brass bloke. Centres for the roundels are printed separately to avoid register issues. Rudder stripes and wing roundels are included, presumably to ensure the blue on the fuselage roundels matches the wings (rather than using the kit’s roundels for the wings). As with other recent Pheon releases, the instruction booklet is somewhat abbreviated due to the decals being rushed out in time for release at Telford’s Scale Model World 2012. Pheon have promised to provide a more complete booklet to modellers who purchased the set and left their address details with Pheon at the show. There are five pages of artwork/decal placement guides printed on glossy A4 sized white card. The decals are printed by Fantasy Printshop in the UK who have an excellent reputation for quality. Positives Eleven markings options to choose from, including some with significant history, some non-RFC/RAF markings and non-PC10 finishes Excellent colour artwork/decal placement guides Robust packing (stiffening card, bubble pack) Thoroughly researched Things that could be improved Nothing of any significance. More complete instruction booklets will be produced soon. Conclusion Within the constraints of historical RFC/RAF marking practice, Pheon have produced a decal set with a wide selection of options, some with interesting and colourful markings. Modellers will now be able to complete their RE8 models in something different to the kit options. Available only direct from Pheon Models by email to: pheon.models@hotmail.co.uk Post & packing: £3.60 to the UK & Europe, £4.95 to the rest of the world Payment by Paypal Thanks to Pheon Models for providing a set for this review

1/32 WWI crew figures by Brian Fawcett First Look Review by James Fahey After producing a range of resin correction parts for aircraft kits in 1/32 and 1/48, Brian Fawcett is now offering a range of 1/32 WWI air and ground figures, cast in resin. There are three sets in the initial release with more in development. The design philosophy is to keep the figures simple to paint and concentrating on realistic poses rather than very fine detail, so they are aimed at aeroplane modellers who are looking to add some human interest to their finished builds rather than figure modellers. Preparing the Lewis Gun This set contains two armourers preparing the Lewis ready for use, a makeshift table and trestles and two ammunition boxes stacked. One figure has his jacket off and is loading a Lewis drum and the other is dressed in overalls and is oiling one of the breech pieces. The makeshift table (door laid on its side) has a nice representation of a well-used cloth, a broken down Lewis gun and scattered rounds. My research into British ammunition boxes has not yielded any photographs but I suspect the ammunition box probably needs rope handles to be added, and possibly some labels. Here is a link to a re-enactors supply website which has a replica 1000 round box that may be similar: http://www.tommyspackfillers.com/gallery/medpopup.php?imageNo=1026 And this link is to a WWII period box that may be still be relevant: http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=94629 My first thought looking at the spanner on the makeshift table was that is rather too short and had been mis-moulded but after a bit of research I discovered it is an accurate representation of the Lewis Gun Spanner, a specialised tool. Price: £20 Postage & packing: £3.50 The Major The Major is depicted as short and slightly portly – the designer having in mind the character "Captain Mainwaring" from the TV series "Dads Army". It is a one-piece figure dressed in a late RFC uniform, leaning on his walking stick. Price: £10 Postage & packing: £3.50 Flight Sergeant The Flight Sergeant is a one-piece figure dressed in the early "Maternity Jacket", a pre-war design that continued in service until it was declared obsolete at the formation of the RAF in 1918. The figure’s jacket lacks the shoulder straps of the 1914 model so would represent the 1912 model. The Other Ranks maternity jacket was produced in hard hairy serge with buttons made of horn. Rank badges appear on both sleeves. Pantaloons were cut loose in the thigh and tight at the knee. They were made from a fabric similar to whipcord but not as smooth, and fastened with laces at the knee. They were worn with drab puttees wound from the bottom in infantry style, and black ankle boots. To assist modellers looking for colour references, here are some worthwhile links: Other Ranks RFC Maternity jacket: http://www.kaisersbunker.com/rfc/rfc17.htm And from the same website, a photo of typical flying goggles http://www.kaisersbunker.com/rfc/rfc09.htm Price: £10 Postage & packing: £3.50 Positives The uniforms and equipment are accurately represented. The poses are reasonably natural, particularly the Lewis Gun vignette Could be Improved The Major and the Flight Sergeant are rather short (~48mm and 47mm respectively). I raised this with the designer and his response was that average height was lower at that time and that aircrew are typically on the shorter side of average. Sculpting could be a bit sharper. Details are a little soft, particularly puttees, boots, fabric creases and ammunition boxes Brief colour notes are provided. It would be useful for aircraft modellers who are new to figure painting to have more guidance as to colours and figure painting techniques, perhaps a colour photograph of a completed figure and/or more information on the website? Conclusion The figures will complement aircraft models nicely. I particularly liked the vignette of the Lewis Gun armourers which is nicely executed. The Major and the Flight Sergeant figures are a bit short but this will not be particularly noticeable unless posed alongside figures from other manufacturers. This is a worthy start to a promising range of WWI air and ground crew figures. Next to come is a couple of FE2B crew figures for putting in the WNW kit. Availability: The figures can be purchased via the manufacturer’s website: http://www.fawcettmodelsandpatterns.co.uk/wwi-1-32-figures or from Pheon Models by email Pheon.Models@hotmail.co.uk Payment is by Paypal Thanks to Brian Fawcett for providing samples for this review

Yes, thanks Kev :-)

Decals for the Wingnut Wings Gotha #32028 by Pheon Models First Look Review by James Fahey The Wingnut Wings Gotha G.IV kit is a very imposing model, everything about it is BIG. For those modellers who could not resist adding it to their stash, here is an after market decal set which gives some interesting and different options for finishing the model. Price: £17.50 Pheon provide decals for five aircraft: 1. G.IV "Lori 2" Flown by Ltn. Kurt Kuppers and Oblt. Fritz Lorenz, Staffel 16 This aircraft will probably be familiar to modellers who have read about the German bombing raids on the UK. There is a well known photo of the aircraft, damaged after a bombing raid on their aerodrome by the British. A colour profile is included in the Albatros Datafile Special “Gotha!”, but Pheon’s interpretation of the markings differs, based on information from Richard Alexander of Wingnut Wings. 2. G.IV “R.G." 406/16 Pilot Ltn.Radke, aircraft commander Ltn. Adolph Genth, gunner Vzfw Gaede. This aircraft appears on the cover of Neil Hansen’s excellent book “First Blitz” (which is worth reading if you have an interest in the Gotha raids). ‘RG’ is an abbreviation for the names of the pilot (R for Radke) and commander/observer/frontgunner/navigator (G for Genth). Adolf Genth's grandson, Thomas, has a wonderful website devoted to his father (who flew in the Luftwaffe in WWII) and his grandfather, Adolph who commandeered this aircraft. It is well worth a look. http://thomasgenth.de/ http://thomasgenth.d...im_kg_iii_.html Pheon have provided the triangular Gotha trademark in green and instead of a blob/island shape, shown it correctly as a castle, a nice bit of research, well done! The green version of the Gotha trademark is clearly visible in photographs of 'RG' on the Wingnut Wings website (see above). 3. G.IV 604/16 ‘K’ ‘K’ is one of the three section leaders’ aircraft which took part in the initial raids on London, all denoted by the red panels on the fuselages, similar to those worn by the swastika-marked machine from the WNW kit. The red painted sections of the decals have cut-outs in the carrier film for the control cable attachments to ease application of the decals. 4. G.IV 603/16 ‘MS’ ‘MS’ is the third section leader's machine from the 13th June 1917 raid on London. The shield marking on the nose is provided in red and black options. 5. G.IV serial unknown. ‘Herringbone’ markings Even though the overall colours are not known with any certainty, this spectacularly marked Gotha will undoubtedly appeal to modellers. The only reference is a single indistinct and poor-quality photograph in the Albatros Datafile Special on page 21. Pheon have illustrated two possible finishes - one in LVG colours and the other in a similar scheme to Lori2, but they acknowledge that other possibilities exist. Without photo evidence it is unclear how the herringbone markings would have extended over the top and bottom of the fuselage. Pheon offer two decal options for this on the top surface, and note that the gun tunnel would probably have made application of chevron markings impossible underneath. Contents Two sheets of decals, printed by Fantasy Printshop in the UK. There are five pages of colour decal placement guides printed on glossy white card. The instruction booklets are somewhat abbreviated due to the decals being rushed out in time for release at Telford’s Scale Model World 2012. Pheon have promised to provide a more complete booklet to modellers who purchased the set and left their address details with Pheon at the show. The set comes robustly packed with stiffening card in a bubble envelope Availablility: only direct from Pheon Models by email: Pheon.Models@hotmail.co.uk Payment: by Paypal Conclusion Although not inexpensive, this set offers Gotha modellers some very distinctive options to set their model apart from OOB builds. Once again a well-researched offering from Pheon, highly recommended. Thanks to Pheon Models for providing the decals for this review

Sorry no Tom it does not James

Yes that would be great Thanks Kev Cheers James

Yes Kev that would be great Thanks! James

Captured! #32040 Volume One By Pheon Models First Look Review by James Fahey Price: £7.00 This set is a departure from Pheon’s normal practice of providing maximum choice of a particular subject, and instead includes individual markings for only one or two specialty subjects. Pheon have always encouraged modellers to send in suggestions for decal subjects and this set is largely the result of ‘gentle chivvying’ from Canadian Gary Barling. Captured aircraft is a niche subject that has had long appeal for modellers as favourite subjects get decked out in the opposition’s insignia, making for quite an eye-catching contrast to the normal finishes. This set is intended for the 1/32 scale Wingnut Wings kits of the Albatros D.V and Sopwith Pup. Albatros D.V 4545/17 came into British possession on 14th November 1917 as a consequence of AA fire (which must have been relatively light as there is little damage evident). The best reference for this aircraft is four photographs published recently in Albatros Productions’ Datafile 151 ‘Albatros D.V/D.Va at War Volume 1’ by Colin Owers. Wingnut Wings have published five photos on their website and these are well worth checking out, especially to see the extent of weathering, wear and tear, etc: http://www.wingnutwi... lower wing.jpg http://www.wingnutwi...rced struts.jpg http://www.wingnutwi...un radiator.jpg http://www.wingnutwi...eller decal.jpg http://www.wingnutwi...ter capture.jpg Although the aircraft is a D.V it has the reinforced interplane struts normally associated with the D.Va. It was fitted with a Wolff propeller. Pheon have got the distinctive font of the aircraft serial number exactly right. Cockades are printed with separate red centres to avoid any registration problems and the rudder stripes have cutouts for the rudder hinges. Pheon discuss various interpretations for the fuselage colours in the instruction booklet, an issue common to WWI modelling. The second subject of the set is Sopwith Pup B1721 of 54 Squadron, flown by Lt. ‘Fred’ Kantel. It was brought down relatively intact on 30th May 1917 while escorting FE2s on a bombing raid after having been in service for less than a month. The victory was claimed by Vzfw. Karl Holler of Jasta 6. Reference information is from Cross and Cockade International’s Vol 43/1 Spring 2012. Again, the Pheon instruction booklet includes a discussion of colours and finishes. The underwing crosses have separate sections for the ailerons. As usual, Pheon include full colour decal placement guides printed on glossy white card. The decals are printed by well-known UK firm Fantasy Printshop and have perfect register and minimal clear surround. Availability: only direct from Pheon Models by email to pheon.models@hotmail.co.uk Payment is by Paypal Conclusion This release offers two distinctly different markings options for these two popular Wingnut Wings kits. As we have come to expect from Pheon this set is well researched and documented; a quality production overall. Incidently the decal set is also available in 1/48 scale and 1/72 scale Thanks to Pheon Models for providing the decals for this review.

Decals for Christiansen’s Hansa Brandenburg W.29 in 1/32 #32041 By Pheon Models First Look Review by James Fahey Price: £3.50 This set was produced in response to requests from modellers wanting to complete their Wingnut Wings W.29 in the markings of the most famous German naval ace, Friedrich Christiansen. Christiansen commanded the Naval Air Station at Zeebrugge, was awarded the prized Pour le Merite (the first of only three given to naval aviators and the only one to a seaplane pilot), was promoted to Kapitanleutnant in 1918 and finished the war with a total victory tally ranging from 13 to 21 (depending on sources). Under his leadership the Zeebrugge seaplane unit aggressively challenged the RNAS and Royal Navy over the English Channel. After the war he captained the massive Dornier Do.X flying boat on its maiden flight across the Atlantic. While his exploits during WWI brought him fame, Christiansen’s activities during WWII are more controversial. His conduct as Military Governor of the Netherlands caused him to be convicted as a war criminal in 1948 and sentenced to 12 years imprisonment (of which he served approximately 4 years in prison). This is a small decal sheet with individual markings for W.29 2512 and additional serial numbers in the Imperial Navy style sized for the W.29 so that any other W.29 serial can be produced. 2512 was a C3MG version of the W.29 i.e. equipped with two forward firing guns and no radio, which is one the two main types of W.29 and also one of the kit options. National markings for the wings should be used from the kit. Although the decal instructions do not state which ones are correct for 2512, it appears to match Option C. Sadly the kit is no longer available from Wingnut Wings, having sold out a few months ago. As usual, Pheon include a full colour decal placement guide printed on glossy white card. On the review set, the colour of the floats has been printed as a dark blue whereas the Wingnut Wings instructions show them as black. The decals are printed by well-known UK firm Fantasy Printshop and have perfect register and minimal clear surround. Availability: only direct from Pheon Models by email to pheon.models@hotmail.co.uk Payment is by Paypal Conclusion This release allows modellers to build the most famous W.29 of all, omitted somewhat surprisingly from the Wingnut Wings kit. It is a modest set (reflected in the price), but up to Pheon’s usual standards of excellence. Thanks to Pheon Models for providing the decals for this review. Postscript Friedrich Christiansen’s full dress naval uniform is on display at the Heritage Aviation Centre museum at Omaka, Blenheim, New Zealand.

Yes certainly Kev

I am sure there will be a BMW engined variant coming in the future at some stage

Volume 4 #32037 £12.75 1. D.Va Uffz. George Gerik, Jasta 75 2. D.V D4432/17 Pilot unknown, Jasta 23b 3. D.V serial unknown, Ltn Julius Buckler, Jasta 17 4. D.V D2042/17 Vfw. Albert Hausmann, Jasta 15 5. D.V 4408/17 Vfw Georg Strasser, Jasta 17 6. D.V serial unknown Ltn Heinrich Seywald, Jasta 23b 7. D.Va serial unknown Ltn Hermann Leptien. Note the black diamonds are not provided as decals due to the complexity of the compound curves and different surfaces around the nose. This should be a reasonably straightforward masking job. Rowan added this option to the sheet at my suggestion and the instruction booklet notes “This one’s for you James . . . you have to build it now!”. Ball is in my court now 8. D.V D2140/17 Oblt Guido Scheffer, FEA 6 9. D.Va Oblt. Hassi von Weddel, Jasta 14 10. D.V serial unknown Oberflugmeister Kurt Schonfelder, Jasta 7 Positives Lots of colourful, interesting options, 10 in each set. Mix of mauve/green and lozenge camouflage schemes, varnished ply vs painted fuselages and various cross styles. Reputable manufacturer (Fantasy Printshop in the UK) and excellent decal quality. All coloured decals are backed with a white undercoat to ensure the colour is retained over a dark fuselage. Well researched Attractive high quality colour artwork and decal placement guides Negatives There is nothing of any consequence on the negative side. The instruction booklets are somewhat abbreviated due to the decals being rushed out in time for release at Telford’s Scale Model World 2012. Pheon have promised to provide a more complete booklet to modellers who purchased the set and left their address details with Pheon at the show. Post & Packing Costs £3.60 to the UK & Europe, £4.95 to the rest of the world Payment Is by Paypal only Stockists Available only direct from Pheon Models by email: pheon.models@hotmail.co.uk Conclusion This is what after-market decals are all about and Pheon have really delivered. Very motivational (which has got to be a good thing!) Pheon intend to duplicate the sets in 1/48 and 1/72 scales in the near future Thanks to Pheon Models for providing samples for this review

1/32 Albatros DV/DVa decals Volumes 3 & 4 From Pheon Models First Look Review by James Fahey The release of two new Datafiles covering the Albatros DV/DVa has provided the historical images and inspiration for two more 1/32 decal sets from Pheon. These two sets are some of the best Pheon have produced in terms of the selection of interesting markings and I suspect will further increase the sale of Wingnut Wings Albatros kits. Some of the colours are noted as being conjectural, but this is a fairly normal situation for WWI modellers and Pheon set out the background to their choice of colours and quote references used in their research. Each set features 10 different markings options. No national markings are provided as the Wingnut Wings decals are very well printed and accurate. Albatros DV/DVA Volume 3 #32036 £12.75 1. D.Va D5675/17, pilot unknown, Jasta 58 (coat of arms is of the city of Cassell 2. D.V 2030/17, Ltn Alfred Lenz, Jasta 21 3. D.Va pilot & unit unknown. Taken from the cover of issue 31 of the German magazine Das Propellerblatt 4. D.Va serial unknown, Vfw Karl Kallmunzer, Jasta 78b. Alternative markings are provided for the ‘K’ badge with either red or black surrounds. 5. D.V serial unknown, Ltn Robert Greim, Jasta 34b 6. D.V D2092/17 Ltn Walter Boning, Jasta 19 7. D.Va serial unknown, Ltn Alfred Fleischer, Jasta 17 8. D.V D2016/17, Ltn Karl Thom, Jasta 21s 9. D.Va Ltn Gerhard Schreiber, Jasta 37. Note the black stripes are not provided as decals. This is either a straightforward masking job or you use the decals from Wingnut Wings Albatros D.V kit or the stripe decals from Wingnut Wings ‘Black Beauties’ decal set #30017. 10. D.V Vzfw Max Kahlow Jasta 34b

Jennings I have asked you this question on three different forums and still no response. It seems you are only interested in selling your decals but not helping modellers to actually use them. Are you listening to your customers? I am asking nicely: Do your decals need a clear coat before they are applied? I would appreciate the courtesy of a response

The main website would be excellent Kev, thanks very much! I am working on a review of Pheon's Pfalz DXII decals and will send it to you in a couple of days.

Hi Kev Yes thats fine I wasn't sure where the proper place was for a review.

Pheon Models 1/32 decals for Roden's Siemens Schuckert D.III First Look Review by James Fahey The Roden 1/32 Siemens Schuckert DIII was warmly welcomed by the WWI modelling fraternity when it came out in late 2009. It is a pugnacious looking fighter that saw only limited service in the last year of WWI due to problems with engine cooling. By the time the recalled aircraft had been refitted with improved engines, a new rudder, balanced ailerons and a cut‑away cowling for better cooling, the war was nearly over. It is generally regarded as one of the best German fighters of WWI and its phenomenal climb rate meant many DIIIs were used by Home Defense (Kest) units as well as some front line Jastas. The kit comes with three markings options which left plenty of room for some enterprising after-market decal producer to provide modellers with a wider range of options. Pheon Models have certainly done that with this release which covers 12 aircraft (virtually all the aircraft featured in the Datafile from Albatros Productions). Markings Options The first three options are from Kest 5 which had black fuselages and personal markings in a pale colour which is not confirmed but portrayed by Pheon in golden yellow. 1) 8356/17 flown by Vzfw. Fritz Beckhardt of Kest 5 2) 1618/18 flown by Oberleutant Heinrich Dembrowski of Kest 5. The crest is from 2. Ostpreußische Grenadier-Regiment Friedrich Wilhelm I. Nummer 3 3) 8344/17 Offizieraspirant Arnold Eger of Kest 5. Pheon have correctly shown the different skull and crossbone designes for each side of the aeroplane. These three pilots and their aeroplanes came to public attention two days after the Armistice when they flew to Switzerland and were interned (see this thread from The Aerodrome http://www.theaerodr...witzerland.html ). 4) 1626/18 Vzfw Reimann of Kest 4b. Pheon’s portrayal of this aerplane is a revision from earlier depictions which had the dark red-brown stained fuselage. Their study of the photographic evidence concludes 1626 had a painted fuselage and spinner. The colour is unknown but is portrayed as blue in the colour profile. Unfortunately the black stripes are not included in the decal sheet so modellers will have to carefully mask these. 5) 3025/18 Kest 8. This aircraft with its white arrow marking was only delivered two days before hostilities ended, and was much photographed in American hands after the Armistice 6) 8346/17 of Jasta 19. This was an early version of the DIII and requires Loon Models conversion set LO32006 which has resin parts to replace the cowling, ailerons, elevator, rudder (marketed by Roll Models in the US). 7) 1628/18 flown by Ltn Paul Leim of Kest 4b 8) Flown by Ltn Ziegesar of Jasta 15. this aircraft is another early version of the DIII and requires the Loon Models conversion set 9) ‘Fritzel’ flown by Carl Dunkel of Kest 4b 10) 8349/18 of Kest 4b 11) Flown by Ltn Alfred Greven of Jasta 12 with his striking lighning flash marking over the standard Jasta 12 blue fuselage and white nose. 12) 606 ex 8356/17 (Option 1) repainted in Swiss service, Dubendorf 1920. This makes a interesting change from the German finishes. There are enough national markings to build four models (three German and one Swiss). The decal sheet also includes Wotan propeller decals Instruction Booklet The 14 page instruction booklet provides historical background including a brief description of the Kests of Kampfeinsitzer Staffeln, sections covering general colouring notes, national markings, references, decal application guide and notes on individual aeroplanes and pilots. Three full pages are devoted to the Roden kit with tips for fixing some minor shortcomings and improving the accuracy of some details. Pheon note that the Roden kit is accurate in shape and outline, and the suggested modifications will not be particularly difficult to do. Pheon decals are printed by Fantasy Printshop in the UK who have a solid reputation for quality. The review set had perfect registration and minimal carrier film. Price: £15.00 plus P&P. Payment is by Paypal Availability: only direct from Pheon Models by email pheon.models@hotmail.co.uk Conclusion Pheon have been relatively quiet for the last six months so it is pleasing to see this new release confirm their continued interest in WWI subjects. This set offers excellent value for money with a generous choice of subjects. The full colour artwork/decal guides and the instruction booklet make for a top quality set. Lots of WWI modellers will have the Roden DIII in the stash - these decals will be the stimulus to get it onto the modelling bench. The only difficulty with the set will be deciding which of the interesting and colourful markings to build! Thanks to Pheon Models for providing the decals for this review

Hi Jennings. Your decals arrived yesterday. Thanks very much! I note you did not put the decals in a plastic bag, only an envelope with card to stiffen. Lucky it did not rain. I think a plastic bag is pretty much essential when posting decals. Does this decal sheet need a clear coat before using, like inkjet printed decals? Regards James

Hi Jennings Looks like a great product, I have just sent you an order. Do the decals need a clear coat on top to 'fix' the markings like on inkjet decal paper before application? Regards James

I visited TVAL's hangar again yesterday - its my favourite place . The third Albatros reproduction (7343/17) was displayed with its engine panels off which provided an excellent opportunity to record all the engine 'plumbing'. The engine differs from that fitted to TVAL's first Albatros as it has water jacketed inlet manifolds, an option featuring in the Wingnut Wings kit. There are 42 photos in the album here: http://s1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Mercedes%20DIIIa%20engine%20with%20jacketed%20inlet%20manifold/?start=all Here are a few photos to whet your appetite If anyone wants a hi-res photo of any of the shots, just let me know which one. Cheers James

I went back to the TVAL hangar yesterday for some close up shots of A3930. I got a bit carried away seeing as how it won't be staying in New Zealand after the April airshow. LOTS of photos here that will help those of us with AMS to build the Wingnut Wings kit. http://s1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/TVAL%20RE8/?start=all Here are just a few to whet the appetite: If anyone would like to see hi-res images of any of these, let me know which ones you are interested in.

I discovered this aviation artist today: Romain Hugault, and he has done some lovely illustrations for a WWII comic featuring a He 219. Its in French of course. Check these images out: