Home  |  What's New  |  Features  |  Gallery  |  Reviews  |  Reference  |  Forum  |

Tail Codes for WWII Imperial Japanese Navy Aircraft

Colours and Codes Series

Aviaeology, 1/72 and 1/48 scales

S u m m a r y

Catalogue Number, Description. Scale and Price:

Aviaeology Colours and Codes Series
Tail Codes for WWII Imperial Japanese Navy Aircraft
All available online from Aviaeology's website.

Contents and Media:

See details below.

Review Type:

FirstLook

Advantages:

Interesting subjects well printed with minimum carrier film and perfect register. Bright and dull reds are both supplied.

Disadvantages:

 

Conclusion:

A well thought out product that clearly understands the needs of the modeller. Not only do we get a quality set of decals but also the information to understand the changes needed to portray the aircraft illustrated.

Reviewed by Rodger Kelly


HyperScale is proudly supported by Squadron.com

F i r s t L o o k

 

For the uninitiated, Aviaeology Decals are produced by SkyGrid Studios in Ontario, Canada.  In the main, they concentrate on providing decals for machines operated by Canadian squadrons and pilots during WWII.  They also produce sheets of serials numbers and code letters.  It is in this second category that that have released eight new sheets that carry tail codes for aircraft operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy during WWII.

These new sheets are:

  • AOD48C20-Tail Codes for WWII Imperial Japanese Navy Aircraft: 280mm - Yellow

  • AOD48C21-Tail Codes for WWII Imperial Japanese Navy Aircraft: 280mm - Red

  • AOD48C22-Tail Codes for WWII Imperial Japanese Navy Aircraft: 280mm - Black

  • AOD48C23-Tail Codes for WWII Imperial Japanese Navy Aircraft: 280mm - White

  • AOD72C20-Tail Codes for WWII Imperial Japanese Navy Aircraft: 280mm - Yellow

  • AOD72C21-Tail Codes for WWII Imperial Japanese Navy Aircraft: 280mm - Red

  • AOD72C22-Tail Codes for WWII Imperial Japanese Navy Aircraft: 280mm - Black

  • AOD72C23-Tail Codes for WWII Imperial Japanese Navy Aircraft: 280mm - White

If you are a fan of WWII Imperial Japanese Navy Aircraft and model them you know how difficult it is trying to get a hold of suitable markings to allow you to model a particular machine.  More often than not your only recourse was to use thick Hasegawa kit decals which stood out like the proverbial when used in conjunction with available after-market decals and or painted-on markings.  Sometimes you could get away with using generic sheets from aftermarket manufactures where they came close or by cutting and overlaying decals.  The specific and unique Japanese Katagana and Hirangana alphabet symbols however were another matter!

Aviaeology has come to the rescue with these new sheets.  Each sheet is different and contains different letters and numerals but in general you get between 437 and 480 characters per 1/48 scale sheet and 450 for the 1/72 scale sheets.  The characters and numbers are generally repeated eight times but not always so.

 

  • Aviaeology Japanese Tail Code Decal Review by Rodger Kelly: Image
  • Aviaeology Japanese Tail Code Decal Review by Rodger Kelly: Image
  • Aviaeology Japanese Tail Code Decal Review by Rodger Kelly: Image
  • Aviaeology Japanese Tail Code Decal Review by Rodger Kelly: Image
  • Aviaeology Japanese Tail Code Decal Review by Rodger Kelly: Image
  • Aviaeology Japanese Tail Code Decal Review by Rodger Kelly: Image
  • Aviaeology Japanese Tail Code Decal Review by Rodger Kelly: Image
  • Aviaeology Japanese Tail Code Decal Review by Rodger Kelly: Image
  • Aviaeology Japanese Tail Code Decal Review by Rodger Kelly: Image
  • Aviaeology Japanese Tail Code Decal Review by Rodger Kelly: Image
Thumbnail panels:
Now Loading

 

With regard to size and scale, to quote from the accompanying information sheet:

“The nominal one-to-one scale character height represented in these sets is 280mm.  This works out to about 6mm in 1/48 scale or 4mm in 1/72 scale.  No doubt some of the characters in one scale may work for larger or smaller aircraft in the other scale.”

The decals themselves are silk screen printed and surprisingly each item is separate in that the sheet is not printed on continuous carrier film which saves you from a tedious cutting out and trimming task when you come to use the decals.

Each sheet comes with two A-4 sized sheets.  One holds modelling notes that provide a background to the series as well as guidance in how to modify the decals with the use of a scalpel to replicate letters and codes that are not provided on the sheets whilst the other holds very comprehensive notes on how to use the decals and a list of references used and acknowledgements to those who assisted in the realisation of the eight sheets.

The sheets are obtainable direct from Aviaeology at www.aviaeology.com or from their E-Bay store at http://stores.ebay.com/Aviaeology .

The decals and information sheets come packed in a clear plastic zip loc-bag.

 

 

C o n c l u s i o n

 

All up a great set of sheets from Aviaeology.  They are well researched, very well printed and will be welcomed with open arms by modellers of WWII Imperial Japanese Navy aviation.

Review Sample Compliments of Aviaeology

 

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2011 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 6 October, 2011
Last updated 6 October, 2011

Back to HyperScale Main Page