Kit decals and aftermarket sheets for full colour schemes can be great, but you can hit the buffers if the serials have been printed in the wrong style or if you want to model a subject that hasn't been been covered as a ready-made set. This is when individual code letters and serials come into their own, and having a selection handy can be indispensable.

To meet this need Fantasy Printshop have released two sets of RAF 8" serials in 1:32, aimed at the WWII and immediate post-war period. The decals are available in two colours - Dull Red and Black - allowing you to tackle any standard subject of the era with confidence.

Each sheet contains multiple sets of letters and numerals in both solid and "stencil" styles, plus different forms in squared and rounded styles. At a glance I can see a dozen complete alphabets, so everything should be here to cover plenty of models, even allowing for the many variations in serial styles you may come across.

There are no instructions included, but you really don't need any - the only prerequisite is to have some accurate references for the particular airframe you're modelling.

As you'd expect with Fantasy Printshop , the printing is faultless - the definition is pin-sharp and excess carrier film has been kept to a minimum on the thin, glossy items. There's a little carrier film included to give strength where items might fold over on themselves, but it's trimmed so tight it won't interfere with accurate spacing of each element in a serial.

Each sheet is available now from Fantasy Printshop, Price: £6.95.

Conclusion

Sets like these are hugely useful for anyone tackling subjects that are otherwise overlooked or simply to replace inaccurate kit decals. While they may never set the proverbial world on fire, they are an important asset for anyone building WWII-era RAF subjects and I hope Fantasy Printshop also release them in other popular modelling scales.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.