Roy Sutherland has kindly sent us a comprehensive bundle of samples of his current sheets. These are based around core sets of colour schemes, with the number of featured aircraft per sheet depending on the scale. As an added bonus, the 1:72 sheets also include a set of the same markings in 1:144.

1:72 (includes 1:144 bonus decals) - $9.95 each

BC72005 P-40s of 112 Squadron RAF - Part 1

1. Tomahawk Mk.IIb, AK367 “C”, 112 Squadron RAF. Pilot Unknown. Based at Sidi Heneish, Egypt, Summer 1941.

2. Tomahawk Mk.IIb, AK457 GA-D, 112 Squadron RAF. Pilot Unknown. Based at Sidi Heneish, Egypt, Sep¬tember 1941.

3. Tomahawk Mk.IIb, AK402 GA-F, 112 Squadron RAF. Flown by Pilot Officer Neville Duke. Based at Fort Maddelena, Libya. November, 1941.

4. Kittyhawk Mk.I, AK578 GA-V, 112 Squadron RAF. Flown by Flying Officer Neville Duke. Based at Gambut, Libya. February, 1942.

5. Kittyhawk Mk.I, AK772 GA-Y “London Pride”, 112 Sqdn. RAF. Flown by P.O. Burney & Sqn Ldr. Clive Caldwell. Based at Gambut, Libya. Spring, 1942.

BC72006 P-40E Warhawks - Part 1

1. Curtiss P-40E Warhawk “Skeeter” White 81, 9th FS, 49th FG. USAAF Flown by 2nd Lt. John Landers. Based at Darwin, Australia. February, 1942

2. Curtiss P-40E Warhawk “Yellow 20”, 343rd Fighter Group. Pilot unknown
Based in the Aleutian Chain, Alaska. Late Spring, 1943

3. Curtiss P-40E Warhawk “Tarheel” White 85, 9th FS/49th FG. Flown by 2nd Lieutenant George Preddy. Based at Darwin, Australia. February, 1942

4. Curtiss P-40E Warhawk "White 7", C.O. of 23rd Fighter Group. Flown by Colonel Robert L. Scott. Kunming, China, Early October 1942

1:48 - $11.95 each

BC48005 P-40s of 112 Squadron RAF - Part 1

1. Tomahawk Mk.IIb, AK367 “C”, 112 Squadron RAF. Pilot Unknown. Based at Sidi Heneish, Egypt, Summer 1941.

2. Tomahawk Mk.IIb, AK457 GA-D, 112 Squadron RAF. Pilot Unknown. Based at Sidi Heneish, Egypt, Sep¬tember 1941.

3. Tomahawk Mk.IIb, AK402 GA-F, 112 Squadron RAF. Flown by Pilot Officer Neville Duke. Based at Fort Maddelena, Libya. November, 1941.

4. Kittyhawk Mk.I, AK578 GA-V, 112 Squadron RAF. Flown by Flying Officer Neville Duke. Based at Gambut, Libya. February, 1942.

5. Kittyhawk Mk.I, AK772 GA-Y “London Pride”, 112 Sqdn. RAF. Flown by P.O. Burney & Sqn Ldr. Clive Caldwell. Based at Gambut, Libya. Spring, 1942.

BC48006 P-40E Warhawks - Part 1

1. Curtiss P-40E Warhawk “Skeeter” White 81, 9th FS, 49th FG. USAAF Flown by 2nd Lt. John Landers. Based at Darwin, Australia. February, 1942

2. Curtiss P-40E Warhawk “Yellow 20”, 343rd Fighter Group. Pilot unknown
Based in the Aleutian Chain, Alaska. Late Spring, 1943

3. Curtiss P-40E Warhawk “Tarheel” White 85, 9th FS/49th FG. Flown by 2nd Lieutenant George Preddy. Based at Darwin, Australia. February, 1942

4. Curtiss P-40E Warhawk "White 7", C.O. of 23rd Fighter Group. Flown by Colonel Robert L. Scott. Kunming, China, Early October 1942

BC48007 P-40K Warhawks - Part 1

1. Curtiss P-40K Warhawk “White 13”, 64th FS/57th FG. Flown by 1st Lieutenant Robert Johnson ‘Jay’ Overcash. Based at Hadi Main, Tunisia. May, 1943.

2.
Curtiss P-40K Warhawk “White 161”, 75th FS/23rd FG. Flown by Captain John F. Hampshire Jr. Based at Kweilin, China. Mid April 1943

3. Curtiss P-40K-1 Warhawk “White 171, 75th FS/23rd FG; Flown by Major Elmer Richardson. Hengyang, China. Late 1943

4. Curtiss P-40K-1 Warhawk “White 29”, 7th FS/ 49th FG; Flown by 2nd Lieutenant Arland Stanton. Port Moresby, New Guinea. March 1943

1:32 - $13.95

BC32007 P-40K Warhawks - Part 1

1. Curtiss P-40K Warhawk “White 13”, 64th FS/57th FG. Flown by 1st Lieutenant Robert Johnson ‘Jay’ Overcash. Based at Hadi Main, Tunisia. May, 1943.

2. Curtiss P-40K-1 Warhawk “White 171”, 75th FS/23rd FG; Flown by Major Elmer Richardson. Hengyang, China. Late 1943

3. Curtiss P-40K-1 Warhawk “White 29”, 7th FS/ 49th FG; Flown by 2nd Lieutenant Arland Stanton. Port Moresby, New Guinea. March 1943

The presentation is excellent. Each sheet is accompanied by full colour instructions featuring very high quality profiles of the port side of each aircraft and simpler plan views illustrating the overall camouflage patterns. The schemes are described in some detail, with a brief history of the pilot and aircraft followed by notes on the particular colours and markings, and the general condition of the finish. The instructions are completed by a generic stencil placement diagram.

The decals themselves are excellent. They are custom printed by Cartograf to their usual impeccible standard, with pin-sharp registration on the thin, glossy, items. Carrier film has been minimised where possible, while keeping grouped designs like lettering as a single decal, and is crystal clear.

There are some real stand-out schemes in the selection. Obviously, there are the RAF 112 Sqn. Tomahawks and Kittyhawks that inspired the adoption of the sharkmouth as the classic P-40 marking, but let's not forget the wonderful Aleutian Tigers, and machines like "Skeeter" with it's striking diving eagle emblem.

BarracudaCals use a dull brick-red for the RAF 112 Sqn. markings, which may come as a surprise to anyone accustomed to the overly bright colours often found in kit decals. There may be a case to argue for a brighter red on aircraft still wearing their US factory-applied RAF roundels, and I've also seen some interpretations with dull red national markings and brighter sharksmouths, but one well known colour photo of 112 Sqn's Kittyhawks preparing for take-off clearly shows dull red used for both the national markings, spinners and sharksmouths. They certainly make a very real contast next to the vivid Insignia Red American versions - and somehow have rather more sinister quality to them.

Each sheet includes a comprehensive set of stencil markings for two aircraft (not included in the bonus 1:144 items) and, in a neat addition to what you normally see in sets like these, a selection of cockpit placards. The number of these varies depending on how much room is left on the sheet - sometimes one set, more often two. Finally. painting masks are included for the wheel hubs of the P-40K "White 161" as an alternative to the pinwheel decals provided - and of course, for masking the tyres.

Conclusion

There's really something for everyone in BarracudaCals' selection of P-40s, whatever stage of this iconic aircraft's career you want to mode, and more sheets are clearly planned for the series. The decals are beautifully produced to the highest standard and very well priced. Highly recommended.

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