Lifelike Decals

1/72 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XVIe Part 1 decal sheet

Product # 72-006  

Product Article by Steve Bamford on Aug 21 2006

 

 

 

This latest release from Lifelike Decals decal sheet features four different Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XVIe's.  This is Part 1of  a series dealing with the Spitfire Mk.XVIe in RAF and Belgium markings from the post war late 1940's.  This decal sheet provides a good variety paint schemes for the later Spitfire.

The first plane is a Spitfire LF Mk XVIe, SL 721 flown by Air Marshall Sir James Robb, RAF Chief Air Command, probably Bovington AB/UK in 1946.  This was the personal aircraft for Air Marshall Sir James Robb and is painted in "powder blue" which might be a mixture of PRU Blue and white, but it's exact tint is not known for sure.  This aircraft has a modified gun bay to carry luggage and these modifications are talked about in the instructions.  This plane sports a three star pennant.

The second plane is a Spitfire LF Mk XVIe, TB900 flown by Squadron Leader Raymond A.F. Lallement, RAF No. 349 (Belgium) Squadron.  This plane wears the RAF RAF Dark Green/Ocean Gray/Medium Sea Gray with Sky code.  This plane sports small artwork of a roosters head with the white script "Winston Churchill" and various kill markings.

The third plane is a Spitfire LF Mk XVIe, TD231 of No. 350 Belgium Air Force, Fassburg Germany in 1946.  This plane wears the RAF RAF Dark Green/Ocean Gray/Medium Sea Gray with white code and a red spinner.

The fourth plane is a Spitfire LF Mk XVIe, TE199 flown by Air Officer Commander of RAF No. 21 Group from Swinder airbase in September 1948.  This gloss black aircraft has a gold trimmed pennant below the windscreen and a yellow spinner. 

The quality of these decals is of very good quality.  The decals themselves are clearly printed and in perfect register.  Some roundel decals come in 2 layers to ensure perfect registration.  The instructions also include an extra page with 4 view line drawings showing stencil placement.  

You can purchase these decals either directly from Lifelike Decals at fax number is +81-3-5680-6733, and e-mail is lifelike@eos.ocn.ne.jp. or from HobbyLink Japan.  

Click on images below to see larger images

Other shops that stock Life like Decals are *Hannants/UK, *Mister Kit/Italy, *Revi (publisher)/Czech Republic, *SkyGrid/Canada, *Roll Models/USA, *Great Models Webstore/USA, *FlightDecs/Canada, *Victory Models/USA
*M & Models/USA, *
Zed Hobbies/Australia, *AB &S Enterprise/Australia, *Desert Miniature/USA 

Yet another very nice Spitfire Mk.XVIe sheet with 4 very good options for your next Spitfire Mk.XVIe.  

I would like to thank Lifelike Decals for providing me with this review sample.

Steve

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford