Contents

EagleCals Set EC#97 provides markings for two 'G-2s from Schlachtgeschwader 2:

1. W.Nr 494110, <-+- of Stab SG 2, flown by Oberst Hans-Ulrich Rudel on his final flight to surrender to the Western Allies on May 8th 1945.
2. W.Nr 491221, TU+NU of 10./SG2 (pilot unknown).

Rudel's aircraft is particularly interesting, as it is marked slightly differently than the subject of Hasegawa's decals for another of his aircraft - W.Nr 494193. The difference is subtle at first glance, but closer inspection reveals more of Eagle Editions' attention to detail.

As you would expect from EagleCals, the decals themselves are superbly printed in perfect register. The decals are custom-printed by MicroScale, so the quality pretty much goes without saying; the difference between the and the kit-supplied decals is instantly apparent - EagleCals' are MUCH thinner. The set includes a full set of national markings, along with stencilling which is printed both finer and in a more convincing font than the Hasegawa items - and it does differ in a few areas from the kit sheet.

The codes for Rudel's aircraft are separated into black and white elements to allow the modeller to ensure perfect registration and both aircraft carry simplified B3 underwing crosses which are cleverly designed to ensure that there's no chance of white "bleed" which might need trimming off.

As usual with EagleCals sheets, the instructions have detailed notes for each aircraft, listing the colours used and any unusual features. Surprisingly, there do seem to be a couple of slight hiccups; Rudel's aircraft is described as heavily weathered and mud-stained, but it's "T6+NU" which looks that way in the artwork. Secondly, although there is a disclaimer that the stencil placement diagrams are "representational only", it's a little disconcerting that the plan views seem to be for a Ju 87B - it's a minor point, but I'm left unsure of whether the placement of the "Kein Panzerstahl" stencils in the wing radiators area is correct. For most decal manufacturers, the point would hardly be worth raising, but EagleCals have always set the bar so high in their research and presentation, I feel obliged to point out this minor discrepancy. Both aircraft can be found in Eagle Editions' Wings Of The Black Cross #3.

The show-piece of the instructions is a beautiful pair of profiles by Thomas A. Tullis, backed up with computer-generated plan-views.

Conclusion

EC#97 is recommended for anyone contemplating building Hasegawa's new Ju 87G; the decals are beautifully produced and, of course, offer a subtle variation for anyone wanting to build an aircraft flown by the legendary Hans-Ulrich Rudel. I suppose now would be a good time to start a petition to try to get EagleCals to also release the sheet in 1/48 scale to accompany the original Hasegawa kit...

Contact details

Eagle Editions Ltd.
P.O. Box 580
Hamilton MT
59840 USA

(406) 363-5415

Thank you to Eagle Editions for kindly supplying the review sample.