Introduction

Techmod has prepared two new sets of decals with in total seven painting options for 1:72 scale early Hawker Typhoon Ib. All options presents the “car door” fuselages. In practice this means the decals are best to be used with Pavla and Brengun kits. At the bottom of this review you can find links for all 1:72 scale Typhoons reviewed on Aeroscale, including both Czech kits.

Camouflage and markings options

Set 72061

• Typhoon Ib EK139, HH-N, 175 RAF Squadron, Spring 1943
  
• Typhoon Ib EK224, ZY-B, 247 RAF Squadron, Bradwell Bay, June 1943
  
• Typhoon Ib EJ906, 451 RAAF Squadron, El Daba, Egypt 1943
  
• Typhoon Ib R7855, PR-D, A. Lallemant, 609 RAF Squadron, Manson, February 1943

Set 72063

• Typhoon Ib EK273, JE-DT, Sqn/L Don Taylor, 195 RAF Squadron, Ludham, June 1943
  
• Typhoon Ib EK270, EL-X, Sqn/L D. Crowley-Milling, 181 RAF Squadron, Appledram, June 1943
  
• Typhoon Ib R7752, PR-G, Sqn/L R.P. Beamont, 609 RAF Squadron, Manson, February 1943

Each set contains enough markings for one model, including stencils, national markings and other general applications. If you want to make more than one model using these sets you will need to get some kit or other aftermarket decals for common markings.

Quality is typical for latest Techmod products. New printing machines and technology highly improved their products. Carrier film is cut very close to the marking and barely perceptible under the finger tip. Print is sharp and free of any misalignment. My experiences with their latest products were so far positive as the decals were nicely reacting with Micro Sol and Set fluids, which I use, and smoothly laid in panel lines and rivets, although here and there needed some gentle soft brush stabbing.

I checked internet references searching for the planes offered in these two sets and I have not found any serious error or missing marking. My only worry is the colour of Sky bands and letters. The Sky is typical for all RAF set released by Techmod but it slightly differs from what I have seen on colour photographs or in the museum. It is a bit too dark and green for me but maybe it is just a matter of taste and sense? There are also correct painting schemes shown in the decaling instruction. As we are at the instruction. Each plane is shown mostly on all four views with one two machines shown just on two profiles. Instruction is printed in colour so it's rather difficult to use wrong colours on the model. There is also an useful crib of necessary colours with FS numbers and recommended references and bibliography.
Another glitch which requires a closer look and consideration is the width of black and white stripes which are shown on the drawings presenting the placement of stencils and markings common for all options. These are not the popular Invasion Stripes from D-Day but quick-recognition markings, please be aware of it. On the real plane the stripes width was 300mm for black and 610mm for white stripes. In 1:72 scale it should give respectively 4.16mm and 8.47mm. These numbers do not fit at all to the size given in the decals instruction. Diagram clearly shows that white fields are much wider than black, while the numbers says that widths are 6.2mm for black and 6.5mm for white. Thankfully for the customer this time Techmod does not provide decals for these stripes. This means it has to be painted by the modeler himself, so it is only up to you what will be the width of the stripes on your Tiffie.

Conclusions

In general I appreciate the presence of these two sets on the market. As the Tiffie is quite popular model and selection of markings chosen by producers of the plastic kits is limited it is very good if someone gives you more options. If you are aware of the possible errors of the instruction you get the good product which will distinct your kit from others. Be careful and study the references and the success is yours. Quality of the Techmod decals is already confirmed by many modelers around the world.

Related reviews on Aeroscale

Brengun Hawker Typhoon IB late (bubble canopy) by Ben Micklem
Pavla Hawker Typhoon IB(car door) by Ben Micklem
Airfix Hawker Typhoon IB by Ben Micklem
Academy Hawker Typhoon IB (bubble canopy) by Ben Micklem
Hawker Typhoon propellers and other parts for Academy kit by Ben Micklem
Hobby Boss easy assembly Hawker Typhoon IB by Samantha Berry

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