The decals

Victory Productions' 1:32 scale "Aces of the Empire" decal sheet comes in a big resealable plastic bag. The content is the following:
- One big decals sheet (almost A4 format).
- Profiles for 14 different marking options printed in color.
- Precise written Instructions for the 14 aircraft depicted.

The decals in themselves do not call for any observations being very well printed by Cartograf and in perfect register. The colors appear to have been carefully researched and I found no misalignments on my sample, even on the smallest details (see accompanying close-up photos).

Decals are provided for 14 aircraft:

1 & 2 - Spitfire Mk.VII, MD188, Culmhead Wing, June 1944, Wing Commander Peter Brothers.
3 - Spitfire Mk.VIII, A58-484, No. 452 Squadron RAAF, Morotai, early 1945, Group Captain Cive R. Caldwell.
4 - Spitfire Mk.VIII, A58-602, No. 457 Squadron RAAF, Morotai, early 1945, Wing Commander Robert "Bobby" Gibbes.
5 - Spitfire Mk.IXb, EN398, Kenley Wing, Summer 1943, Wing Commander J.E. "Johnnie" Johnson.
6 - Spitfire Mk.IXc, MA585, No. 403 Squadron RCAF, September 1943, Flight Lieutenant George "Buzz" Beurling.
7 - Spitfire Mk.IXc, MH883, No. 412 Squadron RCAF, 30 December 1943, Flight Lieutnant George "Buzz" Beurling.
8 - Spitfire Mk.IXc, BS410, No. 315 (Polish) Squadron, Northolt, January 1943, Captain Frances "Gabby" Gabreski.
9 - Spitfire Mk.IXc, EN520, No. 81 Squadron, Tunisia, April 1943, Squadron Leader Colin Gray.
10 - Spitfire Mk.IXc, MA408, No. 322 Wing, Sicily, July 1943, Wing Commander Colin Gray
11 - Spitfires Mk.IXe, MK392, No. 144 Wing, St. Croix-sur-Mer, Normandy, Summer 1944, Wing Commander J.E. "Johnnie" Johnson.
12 - Spitfire Mk.IXe, Mk392, No. 127 Wing, Eindhoven, Holland, January 1945, Wing Commander J.E. "Johnnie" Johnson.
13 - Spitfire LF. Mk.IXe, RR201, No. 411 Squadron, Heesch, Holland, 29 December 1944, Flight Lieutnant Richard "Dick" Audet.
14 - Spitfire Mk.IXe, "MK329", No. 144 Wing St. Croix-sur-Mer, Normandy, Summer 1944, Wing Commander J.E. "Johnny" Johnson.

Many options (Mk.VII, Mk.VIII and Mk.IXe) will require some modifications of the basic kit but with the release of Eduard's new 1:32 scale Spitfire next year and the probability that Tamiya will also do other variants than the Mk.IXc later, maybe it is wiser to wait a little before doing some field modifications. There are already enough Mk.IXc variants on the sheet to keep you busy for several builds!

I give you one advice though: if you are interested to purchase Victory Production's 1:32 scale Spitfire "Aces of the Empire" Decals, don't wait too long before ordering it. In the past these kind of references have sold out quite rapidly so get yours while they are still available.

Conclusion

Victory Production have designed a high quality and very complete decal sheet just in time to accompany the release of Tamiya's superb Spitfire Mk.IXc kit. However, with what is provided in this reference, one can also look forward to the new Eduard kit as the decals also cover the Mk.VII, Mk.VIII and Mk.IXe variants.

Victory Productions' 1:32 scale Spitfire: "Aces of the Empire" decal sheet is available from www.victorymodels.com

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