 RAFDec
1/72“Between the Wars RAF” Decals
RAFDec is a small decal company that specializes in making decals for,
naturally, RAF aircraft. This sheet, #RF7210, marks their first foray
into an area often overlooked by decal manufacturers - that of Between
the Wars aircraft.
The instructions are printed in full color, with large profile drawings
where needed, and specific instructions given for the Humbrol, Xtracolour,
and Lifecolour paint lines. Interestingly enough, although only British
paint brands are quoted, FS equivalents are given for all the colors,
making it easy to match them to US paint lines. One nice touch often
overlooked on decal sheets covering this era is a good selection of stencils
for each aircraft, and in the case of the Hawker Hart, two alternate
sets of stencils are given, dependent on the time period modeled.
 Five Royal Air Force aircraft are included on the sheet. The only twin-engined
aircraft is an overall painted aluminum Avro Anson Mk.I of 269 Squadron,
1937, which is a real contrast to the camouflaged wartime example given
in the Airfix kit. Also overall painted aluminum (with a Nivo upper decking)
is a Hawker Hart, which is from 605 Squadron, circa 1934. The Aeroclub
kit is recommended, although I guess you could also use it on the ancient
Airfix Hart, if you have one. Apart from the large squadron badge on
the fin, this scheme is fairly unexciting.
Another aircraft for which the Aeroclub kit is recommended is the Gloster
Gauntlet. This example is a 111 Squadron machine from 1936, with a solid
black bar on the fuselage and upper wing, and a small squadron badge on
the fin. Although these decals are superbly done, the 46 and 74 Squadron
markings included in the kit would make more colorful and attractive models
than this 111 Squadron aircraft. It's nice to have the choice, I guess.
 One
welcome option on the sheet which I don't believe has been done before
is a 29 Squadron Bristol Bulldog with red X's inside red bars on the fuselage
sides and upper wing. The Airfix Bulldog is one of their best kits, and
these markings would look great.
Rounding out the sheet is a spectacular Hawker Fury trainer from 1939,
for use with the Matchbox kit. This is camouflaged Dark Green/Dark Earth
on the top fuselage side and inner upper wing, with Trainer Yellow on
undersurfaces and outer upper wing. Throw in a white number 7 on a blue
background, large underwing serials, and a polished natural metal cowling,
and you've got a striking model.
These decals are beautifully printed - and on my copy are in perfect
register, with all necessary roundels and serials. RAFDecs are hard to
find in the US, but Hannants
has them via mail order.
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