MSRP $9.99 Cutting Edge Modelworks has really been turning out a lot of decals here lately, not
only for new model kits, but for many kits that have been around for several years. This sheet is no exception. A few years ago
Aeromaster put out a couple of decal sheets that had Me163’s and He 162’s on them, but until now, those were the only sheets.
Cutting Edge has given us a sheet that has six different aircraft, two of which are pictured in their markings while being tested by
the Air Ministry. The first of the aircraft shown on the sheet is Lt. Rudolf Schmitt’s 120027, in which he
claimed a Typhoon kill on 24 April, 1945. This is a particularly attractive aircraft due to the markings, as well as the varied
colors of paint used on the aircraft. I have seen several different interpretations of this aircraft, but this is my favorite, by
far. It has an RLM 81 upper surface, with the engine nacelle being RLM 82. The remainder of the aircraft is RLM 76, except for the
red engine inlet and the black engine exhaust area and upper rear camouflage. The two captured aircraft are
also colorful, and of course, you could substitute Luftwaffe markings for the Air Ministry markings.
The
decals are amazingly thin and my sample was in perfect register. The red in the German arrows and the JG1 badge is a bright red,
which is what I have always seen in photographs and artwork, and in museum aircraft. The British roundels and fin flashes are in a
much darker, more maroon color. And, as usual, a very detailed information sheet is provided with
recommended modeling paints for each of the RLM colors. My congratulations to David Klaus and Cutting Edge
Modelworks for choosing this subject for a decal sheet and for the fine work they did on it. I’m definitely inspired to dust off my
two DML and Trimaster He 162 kits so I can use this sheet. Thanks to Cutting Edge for the review sample and
to John Noack for allowing me to ad it to my collection. |