Lifelike Decals

1/48 Messerschmitt Me 109 Part 5 decal sheet

Decal sheet product # 48-033

Product Article by Floyd Werner, Jr. on Apr 20 2011

 

It is no surprise that I love the Bf-109 in its many forms and variations so these decals are right up my alley. Typical of all Lifelike Decals you are treated to colorful and unique aircraft.

In this case you get three different types of aircraft with four different markings. You get instructions on two single sided 8x10 sheets in full color. These decals are recommended for the Hasegawa 109 kits, Tamiya 109E and the lovely Zvezda Me-109F. Also included on a separate sheet are the stencil instructions for all three versions. This alone is a very nice reference piece for the modeler. 

The decals themselves are beautifully rendered. They are thin with good color saturation. They are included on two sheets, one sheet has most of the markings including all the types of crosses for the subjects. The smaller sheet is very small and has some colorful markings. I’m sure that this is done to keep the costs per sheet down. It allows Lifelike to group the colorful markings together from separate sheets, but it in no ways effects how beautiful they are. The decals are gorgeous.

Typical of all Lifelike Decals, these are beautifully researched. This is one of the things that I think sets Lifelike Decals apart from the rest. You are provided with the actual references used to determine the colors plus the interpretation of the Lifelike. 

The markings start off with a Bf-109E-3 of JG-51 which is quite colorful. Full yellow cowling and rudder add a splash of color. The individual markings feature a hare with binoculars mounted on a pistol along with the raven shield on the aft fuselage. 

The F-4 of Max-Helmut Ostermann is quite unique in that half the aircraft is painted in one scheme and the other is in another. The one side is all RLM 76 and the other is mottled and uniquely camouflage. This accompanied with the Green Heart emblem, III/JG-54 badge and red bird markings on the nose and the yellow markings, as well as, the individual kill markings makes this one colorful aircraft. 

The next aircraft is a G-6/R-6 of Major Adolf Dickfeld from JG11. A pretty ‘typical’ 109 painted in RLM 74/75/76 except that this one has a narrow red band and a white RVD tail, well at least part of it. The oversprayed sides are very light and add to the color of the aircraft.

The final aircraft is my favorite machine of the sheet. This aircraft is actually a photo recon Bf-109G-6/U3 with small fuselage cameras. The yellow spinner, lower cowling, wing tips and fuselage band accompanied with the green stab markings make this aircraft quite colorful. There is a red unit badge on the forward cowling as well. The heavy fuselage mottling will make this model a standout on the contest table or your display case.

Highly recommended.

Thanks to Lifelike for the review copy. You can get your copy at Lifelike Decals website http://www16.ocn.ne.jp/~lifelike/ . Tell them you heard about it here.

You can purchase these decals either directly from Lifelike Decals at fax number is +81-3-5680-6733, and e-mail is lifelike@eos.ocn.ne.jp. or from HobbyLink Japan.    

Other shops that stock Life like Decals are *Hannants/UK, *Mister Kit/Italy, *Revi (publisher)/Czech Republic, *SkyGrid/Canada, *Roll Models/USA, *Great Models Webstore/USA, *FlightDecs/Canada, *Victory Models/USA
*M & Models/USA, *
Zed Hobbies/Australia, *AB &S Enterprise/Australia, *Desert Miniature/USA 

Floyd Werner, Jr.

Photos and text © by Floyd Werner, Jr.