PLATZ [ MORE REVIEWS ] [ WEBSITE ] [ NEW STORIES ]

First Look Review
172
JASDF Anniversary Decals
  • Platz_Decals_Combo

by: Rowan Baylis [ MERLIN ]

Platz have released two new 1/72 scale decal sheets celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 3WG, JASDF.

Sheet #JD-32 (Price TBA) contains markings for a single F-2A - s/n 73-8543, in a Sea Blue / Intermediate Blue colour scheme adorned with extensive stylised yellow markings.

Sheet #JD-34 (Price: 2,310JPY) features a pair of T-4s - s/n 06-5650 and 26-5687. Both are overall Lt. Ghost Gray, with the first aircraft carrying similar yellow markings to the F-2A.

The quality of the decals is excellent. They are printed by Cartograf and are thin and glossy, with excellent registration. This is crucial because, rather than including a mass of separate items, Platz have combined national insignia, stencils and anniversary markings onto panels of crystal-clear carrier film. This novel approach should make applying the stencils (in particular) much simpler, as some decals include over a dozen tiny individual markings. While it will be a huge time-saver, it will be even more vital than usual to apply the decals onto a good quality gloss finish to avoid silvering.

The decals are accompanied by instructions with full-colour profiles with the decal positions clearly illustrated. The text is basically all in Japanese, but Mr Hobby and ModelMaster paint references are included, so modellers worldwide should have few difficulties.

Conclusion
Platz's JASDF 3WG anniversary markings look superb - beautiful markings for some spectacular schemes, backed up by clear instructions. The novel design is very intriguing and is made possible by top-quality printing by Cartograph.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.
SUMMARY
Highs:
Lows:
Verdict: Superbly printed. Novel design.
Percentage Rating
95%
  Scale: 1:72
  Mfg. ID: See text
  Suggested Retail: See text
  PUBLISHED: Oct 04, 2008
  NATIONALITY: Japan / 日本
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 88.37%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 88.47%

Our Thanks to Platz!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

View Vendor Homepage  |  More Reviews  

About Rowan Baylis (Merlin)
FROM: NO REGIONAL SELECTED, UNITED KINGDOM

I've been modelling for about 40 years, on and off. While I'm happy to build anything, my interests lie primarily in 1/48 scale aircraft. I mostly concentrate on WW2 subjects, although I'm also interested in WW1, Golden Age aviation and the early Jet Age - and have even been known to build the occas...

Copyright ©2021 text by Rowan Baylis [ MERLIN ]. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AeroScale. All rights reserved.



   
ADVERTISEMENT


Photos
Click image to enlarge
  • Platz_F-2A_1
  • Platz_F-2A_2
  • Platz_F-2A_3
  • Platz_T-4_1
  • Platz_T-4_2
  • Platz_T-4_3
ADVERTISEMENT