PYN-UP Decals

1/72 B-24 Liberated Chics Part 2 decal sheet

Product # PYND72002 for $16.99

Product Article by Steve Bamford on Feb 3  2005

 

 

 

This new decal sheet from Cutting Edge Modelworks includes markings for two different 1/72 B-24 Liberators. 

The first aircraft is a B-24H-15-FO Liberator serial number 42-52768 with the 493 BG called "LEO" and flown by Bill Hilfinger.  The noseart was painted by Philip Brinkman.  This aircraft was one of the famous "Zodiac" squadron aircraft.  The crew of this aircraft flew another aircraft with different "Leo" artwork.  The paint scheme for this aircraft is overall Olive Drab with what appears to be neutral grey on the underside.  The nose art appears on the left side of the nose with white text reading "Leo".  The artwork for this aircraft has a white decal to go underneath the noseart decal.  This is a Ford built B-24H, so the nose is quite different.  Cutting Edge Modelworks produces a "Ford Nose Conversion" that applies to all B-24H, B-24J, B-24L, and B-24M built by Ford.  The set is available from Meteor Productions.

The second plane is F-7A (B-24J-1-CO) Liberator serial number 42-64053 with the 20 Combat Mapping Squadron called "Hangover Haven" flown by John Noble.  This aircraft was converted at the United Airlines Modification Center to photo reconnaissance configuration.  Three small camera windows were cut in the rear bomb bay for cameras and a large rectangular window for a camera was added to each side of the lower fuselage side near the bombardier transparency.  Decals are included to easily represent these camera windows or you can choose to use the decals as templates to scratchbuild your own windows.  The paint scheme for this aircraft is overall natural metal with an olive drab anti-glare panel.  The nose art was painted by Al Merkling appears on the right side of the nose as a pink elephant leaning up against a lamp post outside a drinking lounge.   

The noseart decals are delicate and two are included for each plane in case you mess up the first ones.  Exacting instructions are included on how to prepare and install these decals…..read these instructions carefully to avoid disaster.  Apparently these noseart decals are very thin and need special care, but once installed they will look very accurate and realistic.  The nose art decals are printed on a one piece decal sheet, so you’ll need to cut the decal free from the rest of the decal film…..patience is the key here.  The noseart decal is beautifully printed with fantastic detail and lovely shading. 

Click on images below to see larger images of the instruction sheets

The instructions are clear and include 2 views of each aircraft and an extra 3 pages of text instructions with info about both the planes as well as helpful tips for decal application. 

A very nice decal sheet and  sure to please the lucky 300 people that manage to buy one of these limited edition sheets.  

I would like to thank Cutting Edge Modelworks for providing me with this review sample.

Steve

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford