Bristol Blenheim & Bolingbroke IV & IVf RAF & Foreign Operators

Xtradecal, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Mark Davies

Xtradecal's 1/72 scale DH.82a Tiger Moth Pt.1 is available online from Squadron.com

It’s no surprise that Xtradecal should release some markings options to coincide with Airfix’s recent release of their new tool Bristol Blenheim Mk.IV kit. This is the third in a series of Blenheim sheets by Xtradecal following Airfix’s new-tool Blenheim Mk.I release.

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The Blenheim served with quite a wide variety of operators, and offers the possibility of many different colour schemes. As is apparent from the title, this sheet covers RAF and foreign usage. However, and somewhat surprisingly, a Finish option is not included, despite the Fins having some appealing colour schemes in my opinion.

The Decals

The decals are supplied in Xtradecal’s usual A5 polythene zip-lock bag. The instructions are nicely produced in colour, and clearly indicate markings placement. A brief note regarding the aircraft and its station location is given for each subject. Unsurprisingly, a list of Xtracolor paint codes is also provided for the colours required. The decals look to be superbly printed and with excellent colour density.

I did note with some surprise that the Free French national insignia featured orange rather than red in their makeup, but I then noticed the smaller errata sheet of corrected insignia in the bag.  

The set reviewed here covers ten options; all of which are quite appealing in my opinion. The subjects are:

• Blenheim IVf, Z7513/R 15 Sqn SAAF Libya 1943;

• Blenheim IV, V5458 RT-O 114 Sqn West Rayham 1942;

• Blenheim IVf, Z6279 EE-A 404 Buffalo Sqn RCAF Thorney Island 1941;

• Blenheim IV, Z9583/14 GRB 1 Free French AF Fort Lamy 1941;

• Blenheim IV, 5+5 Tested by Luftwaffe 1940-41;

• Blenheim IV, B268 32nd Bomber Sqn R. Hellenic AF Mendi, Greece 1941;

• Blenheim IV, N3589 ex RAF 40 Sqn Tested by Regia Aeronautica 1940;

• Blenheim IV, 267 ZE-G Esquadrilia ZE, Portuguese AF, Ota, 1944;

• Bolingbroke IV 9030 BK-V 115 Sqn RCAF Annette Island, Alaska 1942;

• Bolingbroke IV 0103 Unit unknown RCAF St Hubert 1943.

These are superbly produced decals. They provide some interesting options for Airfix’s new-tool Blenheim IV kit, I highly recommend them.

Thanks to Hannants for this sample.

Text and Images Copyright © 2015 by Mark Davies
This Page Created on 11 February, 2015
Last updated 11 February, 2015

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