Bristol Beaufighter
Mk.X, TF.Mk.X, Mk.21 & TT.Mk.21

Xtradecal,1/72 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

Xtradecal's 1/72 Beaufighter Decals are available online from Squadron.com

Xtradecal has recently released a new 1/72 scale decal sheet for ten varied Beaufighters. Variants covered are the Mk.X, TF.Mk.X, Mk.21 & TT.Mk.21.

The decal sheet includes codes, serials and specific markings for the ten options plus multiple sets of national markings - wartime, post-war, SEAC and RAAF.

The ten subjects cover a wide variety of schemes and markings.

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Thumbnail panels:

Details are as follows:

• Mk.X KW393/W 27 Sqn Burma 1945; LZ293 RAF Coastal Command 1944; Dark Earth and Dark Green over Medium Sea Grey with SEAC markings.

• TF Mk.X NE686 EO-T 404 Sqn RCAF Flt/Off Flynn/ P/O Michael RAF Coastal Com RAF Dallachy 1945; Extra Dark Sea Grey over Sky with large black codes.

• LZ451 EE-M 404 Sqn RCAF Wg/Co Alfred Kitchener Gatward DSO RAF Strubby 1945; Extra Dark Sea Grey over Sky with invasion stripes and large yellow-outlined red codes - very striking!

• NE425 2-G 404 Sqn RCAF RAF Davidstow Moor, Cornwall 1945; Extra Dark Sea Grey over Sky with large yellow-outlined red codes.

• LZ293 MB-T 236 Sqn RAF Coastal Command RAF North Coates, Lincs 1944; Extra Dark Sea Grey over Sky red codes.

• Mk.21 A8-23 EH-C 31 Sqn RAAF Flt/Off /P/O Lyons Morotai 1945; labelled as overall Foliage Green but also possibly overall RAAF Dark Green - a darker shade similar to the Luftwaffe color RLM 70 Black Green. Grey codes with tiger artwork on the nose.

• A8-112 SK-L 93 Sqn RAAF Morotai Island, Borneo 1945 Mk.21. labelled as overall Foliage Green but also possibly overall RAAF Dark Green - a darker shade similar to the Luftwaffe color RLM 70 Black Green. White codes with Goofy riding a rocket artwork on the rudder.

• A8-265 30 (TT) Sqn Air Trials Unit RAAF Woomera 1957 TT.Mk.21; Aluminium upper surfaces over black and yellow target tug stripes beneath.

• A8-265 30(TT) Sqn RAAF Woomera 1948 TT.Mk.21; overall black and yellow target tug stripes.

Note that the Australian Mk.21s and TT.Mk21s wilI require a bit of extra work. All four aircraft would have been fitted with the bulged fairing on the nose (directly in front of the windscreen) that housed the Sperry Auropilot. I'm not aware of any after-market bulges, but this would be a fairly simple to shape from epoxy putty. Also, the TT.Mk.21s would have been fitted with winch gear.

Instructions for the decal sheet are in full colour across two folded A4 sheets. Both side views are provided for all aircraft.

Colour notes are supplied, along with model paint callouts for Xtracolor enamels and Xtracrylix acrylics.

The decals are beautifully printed and feature thin carrier film.

There is some great potential for customising your new 1/72 scale Airfix Beaufighter here, but of course these decals will be equally suitable for any earlier 1/72 scale Beaufighter kit releases too.

Highly Recommended.

Purchased by the review from Hannants

Xtradecals are available online from Hannants' website

Review Text Copyright © 2015 by Brett Green
This Page Created on 23 September, 2015
Last updated 23 September, 2015

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