Pen and Norm Harms of Scale Specialties continue to provide much needed historical gaming materials - the latest are WWII decals printed by the premier decal maker in the U.S. Scale Specialties' web site is one that I check each week in order to catch anything new. http://www.ss-sms.com/
Scale Specialties has produced 1/160 scale decals for (the first three I actually have in my possession, the last four are in Scale Specialties' catalogue - all seven sets are available directly from Scale Specialties).
1. British Armored Division, NW Europe 1944-45 (part 1) ($6.50)
- HQ Armored Brigade (16 decals)
SR. Armored Regiment (32 decals)
2nd Armored Regiment (32 decals)
JR Armored Regiment (32 decals)
Motor Battalion (32 decals)
Armored Reconnaissance Regiment (8 decals)
HQ Armored Division Royal Artillery (8 decals)
Field Artillery Regiment (8 decals)
Anti-Tank Regiment (8 decals)
HQ Infantry Brigade (60) & SR thru JR Battalions (61-63) (32 decals)
Armored Division, Squad Markings (160 unique decals)
Allied Vehicle Stars (6", 10", 12", 16", & 20") (158 stars)
Armored Division Insignia (Guards, 11th, 7th, & bridge classification plates)
Provided by Scale Specialties, here's a picture of the British Armored Division sheet.
2. U.S. National Insignia for P-38, P-40, P-51, and Spitfire IX Aircraft ($4.95)
- 30" star & variants (60 decals)
30" star with bar & variants (30 decals)
35" star and bar (12 decals)
20" star and bar (fuselage of P-38) (26 decals)
3. German National Insignia for Bf-109 and FW-190 Fighters (4.95)
- 40 crosses with the small outline (upper wing)
80 crosses with the large white outline (lower wing)
40 swastikas for the tail.
4. British Aircraft Insignia for Spitfire IX, Hurrican, P-40 and P-51 wing and fuselage insignia and tail and fin flashes 1942. Catalogue Number 160AC-003 - 4 3/4" x 3 3/4" - priced at $5.75. (Check web site for image)
5. British RAF Squadron and Individual Aircraft Codes - note these are in the official "sky" color as used in WW II. Catalogue Number 160AC-004 - 4 3/4" x 3 3/4" - priced at $5.75. (Check web site for image)
6. German Panzer Units - Schwere Panzer Abteilung 506 - Tiger I's and II's 1943-45 - Part I - 4 3/4" x 3 3/4" - Priced at $5.75. (Check web site for image)
7. German Panzer Units PzKpfw IV and Panthers NW Europe 1943-45 - Part I - 4 3/4" x 3 3/4" - Priced at $5.75. (Check web site for images)
Photos by Norman E. Harms - Models painted, detailed and decaled by Mr. Lonnie L. Gill, Official Historian for the U.S. Tank Destroyer Association, and author of the book detailing their history as well as author of world renowned naval wargaming rules General Quarters I and II (III forthcoming), and the recently released wargaming rules covering land warfare TacFire (see our catalogue under "Rules").
The detail on the decals is perfect - the lines are crystal clean. The colors are bright and also carry clean lines. Included in each package is a very detailed step-by-step instruction on how to optimally use, store, and mount the decals. But the best part of these instructions is the unique section for each set of decals that delineates where exactly the specific markings are to be placed. The research for the placement has already been done (with exact measurements according to the scale). Additionally, in the British Armored Division packet, a bibliography of appropriate references is included.
Again these are great sets for the modeler and wargamer alike. Highly Recommended!!
How apropos that these decals are here - you'll see that in this issue of the Gauntlet is a set of B-17 rules by Mike Crane...
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© Copyright 2001 by Craig Martelle Publications
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