When MPM first released their DC-2 kit many modelers clamored for airline markings. Now with MPM's re-release and this new MPD decal sheet you have several great options. This sheet provides markings for American and Trans World Airlines DC-2s, including a current restored example.
The American DC-2 has the orange and dark blue cheatline, with the decal sheet providing everything except the orange swooshes on the wings, rudder and tailplane. These you'll have to paint yourself, matching the orange to that of the decal sheet. It's with this livery that the sheet's one 'error' shows up. It's not really an error but a problem with the inks. The blue of the livery is very, very dark, almost black. After talking to the people at MPD it was discovered that the ink changed as it dried, becoming much darker than anticipated. Even so, the areas of blue are slight on this livery so it isn't noticable except for the large AA that goes on the wings. A purist could easily use the decals as templates to paint these large letters on in blue. Two choices of registrations are included as well.
The TWA DC-2 livery provides two styles of fuselage scripting and lettering, one for period aircraft and one for the restored example currently flying. The period style is a bit more colorful, with a thin gold outline to all the lettering. The restored example, just to make sure people know it's a DC-2, has DOUGLAS DC-2 written on the wings, while the original carries TWA on one wing and the registration number on the other.
Both of these liveries are very well researched and very well executed. After seeing this sheet I am really hoping that MPD will continue in this vein and come out with some more DC-2 liveries or even branch out into some of the early DC-3 operators.
