Starfighter Decals 1/48 P-26 1st Pursuit Group Peashooters
By Matt Bittner
The second sheet released by Starfighter Decals for the Academy/Hobbycraft 1/48 P-26 is this sheet of all 1st Pursuit Group (PG) aircraft. While the sheet contains individual markings for 10 1st PG (Command Staff, 17th Pursuit Squadron (PS), 94th PS, 27th PS) aircraft, there are complete markings for only two models. The following aircraft are covered:
Command Staff
- P-26B 33-181 (OD/Yellow)
- P-26B 33-180 (Blue/Yellow)
- P-26A 33-123 (Blue/Yellow)
- P-26B 33-194 (OD/Yellow)
- P-26C 33-196 (OD/Yellow)
- P-26B 33-? (Blue/Yellow)
27th PS
- P-26A 33-92 (Blue/Yellow)
94th PS
- P-26A 33-45 (both OD/Yellow *and* Blue/Yellow, modeler's pick since no photos exist and based on drawings only)
- P-26A 33-57 (Blue/Yellow)
- P-26A 33-124 (OD/Yellow and red/white/blue stripes on wings)
Since these are printed by Cartograf the colors of the decals are vibrant and registration is spot-on. The instructions are excellent as usual, especially since they provide a lot of detail not usually covered. For example, the instructions calls for the correct type of tail wheel dependent on the aircraft, if the plane had a bomb rack or not, radio or not, etc. Excellent detail in each aircraft's description.
Our thanks to Starfighter Decals for allowing us to review this set.