Spada Decals
F8F French Bearcats

If you haven't visited Spada Decals' website recently, prepared to be blown away by all of the decal subjects they've produced in the last year or so. What's more, the quality is excellent, the price is very reasonable, and the subjects covered provide a terrific alternative to the 'usual' array of decal offerings.

In this set, Spada provides the markings for 26 different aircraft deployed to Indochina plus one variation:

1. F8F-1, BuNo 94926, 'J'
2. F8F-1, BuNo 95014, 'K'
3. F8F-1B, BuNo 121509, 'C'
4. F8F-1, BuNo 94999, 'U'
5. F8F-1, BuNo 95220, 'U'
6. F8F-2N, BuNo 121601, '5'
7. F8F-1, BuNo 95164, 'H'
8. F8F-1, BuNo 95184, 'E'
9. F8F-1B, BuNo 95487, 'T'
10. F8F-1, BuNo 95105, 'P'
11. F8F-1B, BuNo 95472, 'B'
12. F8F-1B, BuNo 95015, 'P'
13. F8F-1, BuNo 95062, 'L'
14. F8F-1B, BuNo 95015, 'E'
15. F8F-2, BuNo 121537, 'G'
16. F8F-1, BuNo 94913, 'F'
17. F8F-1, BuNo 95338, 'C'
18. F8F-1, BuNo 95128, 'R'
19. F8F-1, BuNo 94922, 'A'
20. F8F-1, BuNo 95035, 'W'
21. F8F-1, BuNo 94836, 'A'
22. F8F-1, BuNo 95489, 'I'
23. F8F-1B, BuNo 95172, 'G'
24. F8F-1B, BuNo 95172, 'G' (variation)
25. F8F-1B, BuNo 95098, 'B'
26. F8F-1B, BuNo 121491, 'R'
27. F8F-1B, BuNo 95492, 'P'

The markings are printed on three different sheets (shown as one image for your viewing) and provide some interesting options. There appear to be sufficient markings to render three aircraft with this set, but you'll notice the blue 'dots' are separated from the roundel? This isn't a registration issue, it is a color one. Look closely and you'll see the two rows of blue dots are slightly different colors. The instructions show which dot to use for which aircraft. The printing is sharp and nicely registered. The decals are printed on solid decal film, which means you'll have to carefully trim as much clear carrier film from the edges of your decal as practical.

If you want to model the Bearcat as a combat veteran, these French Air Force aircraft markings will look great on the Trumpeter 1/32 F8F Bearcat kits.

This set is definitely recommended!

For more information about this set and the other releases from Spada Decals, visit their website at http://www.spada-decals.com. Just specify which scale you're looking for!

My sincere thanks to Spada Decals for this review sample!