Starfighter Decals

1/48 Pearl Harbor Defenders decal sheet

Product 48-07 for $15.00

Product Article by Steve Bamford on Mar 15 2013

 

 

This new decal sheet from Starfighter Decals includes markings for 7 different US aircraft that participated in the defense of Pearl Harbor, or attempted to strike back. Markings for 2 P-40Bs, 2 P-36s, an F4F-3A, PBY-5, and SBD-3 included.  The exploits of the P-40's and P-36's are well known, the Wildcat is part of a group that flew out to hunt for the Japanese feel from the USS Enterprise (although they were unable to locate the Japanese fleet).  Later that evening 6 Wildcats flew from the USS Enterprise and 4 were shot down by friendly fire with 3 pilots being killed.  The Dauntless was one of 2 aircraft of Scouting 6 that was jumped off Barbers Point and shot down by the Japanese, but before they were shot down they did shoot down one Zero.  And the PBY Catalina has a shared kill of the mini-sub sunk by the USS Ward.

lick on images below to see larger images

The 7 aircraft include the following: 

  • P-40B flown by 2nd LT. G. Welch, 47PS, 15PG.  He is credited with 4 kills (3 Vals, Zero and 1 probable).  Recommended kit is the Monogram P-40.

  • P-40B flown by 2nd LT. K. Taylor, 47PS, 15PG.  He is credited with 4 kills (4 Vals).  Recommended kit is the Monogram P-40.

  • F4F-3A Bu. Nu. 3916 flown by Ens. Daniels with VF-6.  Recommended kit is the Tamiya kit with F4F-3 conversion set.

  • P-36A flown by 2nd LT. P. Rasmussen, 46PS, 15PG.  He is credited with 1 kill (Zero).  Recommended kit is the Academy P-36.

  • P-36C flown by 2nd LT. H. Brown, 47PS, 15PG.  He is credited with 2 kills (Kates).  Recommended kit is the Academy P-36.

  • SBD-3 Bu. Nu. 4570 flown by Lt. C. Dickinson/ RM1 W. Miller with VS-6.  1 kill (Zero) unconfirmed.    Recommended kit is the Accurate Miniatures SBD-3.

  • PBY-5 Bu. Nu. 2419 flown by Ens. W. Tanner with VP-14 against the midget sub (assist w/USS Ward).  Recommended kit is the Monogram PBY Catalina.

The 4 pages of instructions are clear and include color views of all areas of each aircraft.  The decals are beautifully printed on 1 decal sheet with stencils.  The paint schemes are mostly of the faded variety due tot he hot Hawaiian sun.  

This decal sheet has done a wonderful job capturing some of the little know Pearl Harbor defenders 

I would like to thank Starfighter Decals for providing me with this product sample.

Steve Bamford

      

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford