Eagle Editions have gained an enviable reputation for their excellent EagleCals decal sheets. As WW2 (and especially Luftwaffe) specialists, it great to see them turn their attention back to WW1 subjects and their first release is well up to their high standard.

As usual, the sheet has been custom-printed by MicroScale, so the items are beautifully thin and the definition is precise. The sheet contains markings for two aircraft:

1. Fokker Dr.1 503/17 W.Nr 2130 - flown by Lt. Hans Körner of Jasta 19 in April 1918, Balatre, France.
Körner's machine is camouflaged in the standard factory finish of green-streaked upper surfaces and turquoise undersides. The instructions tell the modeller to use the original kit crosses for the upper wings and fuselage - otherwise everything is new. The fuselage crosses were, in fact overpainted at unit level with a rectangle of fresh green, so applying the kit decals might be too thick for scale effect. The fuselage was decorated with striking white lightning bolts and the tail is painted with yellow and black stripes as was typical of Jasta 19.

2. Fokker Dr.1 425/17 - flown by Rittmeister Manfred von Richthoven of JG1 in April 1918, Lechelle, France.
The exact finish of the aircraft in which von Richthoven was killed on 21st April 1918 has been the subject of considerable controversy over the years. The instructions state that the colour was described as "scarlet" with signs of wear around the cockpit. The markings were in the process of modification at the time of von Richthoven's last sortie, with some parts of the old Maltese crosses still showing through thinly applied white paint. EagleCals provide these markings with the "bleed-through" printed in grey. Likewise, the serial numbers are printed in dark red to give the appearance of having been painted over.

The sheet also contains a selection of stencil markings - Fokker Dr.1s didn't carry many - plus propeller logos.

The instructions have large full-colour painting diagrams and a stencil-placement guide. Each subject is treated to a detailed set of notes outlining the colours and markings, along with any other distinguishing features.

Conclusion

Eagle Editions first venture into Great War subjects is very welcome and I hope they extend the series to include more subjects - perhaps also in 1/48 scale to cater for the rapidly growing range of kits available. A second sheet - #93 features a trio of colourful Triplanes. Recommended.

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.