H.S. Nimrod
three decal sheets

Model Alliance Decals, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Squadron.com

The Airfix 1/72 scale Nimrod kit is ambitious and impressive, but the decals are not to the standard of the rest of the kit.

Fortunately, Model Alliance has come to the rescue with three new sets of decals that offer a very wide variety of schemes and markings. The best news, however, is that these decals are produced to Model Alliance's usual high standards, so these markings will bring out the very best in your big, beautiful Airfix Nimrod.

Each of the three sets comprises a large number of options on two surprisingly compact decal sheets. One contains the national markings, while the second contains decals for the specific subjects.

The subjects cover the early Grey and White through to the Hemp and Grey schemes. One of the subjects conatined in Part III is stripped to bare metal in large areas. There is plenty of variety offered by different tail markings and splashes of colour.

Specific subjects are as follows:

MA-72158 - H.S. Nimrod R.1/MR.2P Part I

• Nimrod R.1, XW664/64, 51 Squadron, Royal Air Force, Wyton, 1975

• Nimrod R.1, XW665/65, 51 Squadron, Royal Air Force, Wyton, 1981

• Nimrod R.1, XW666/66, 51 Squadron, Royal Air Force, Wyton, 1980

• Nimrod R.2P, XV241/41, 206 Squadron, Royal Air Force, Kinloss, Scotland, 1999

• Nimrod R.2P, XV241/41, Maritime Reconnaissance Wing, Royal Air Force, Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, Operation Telic, 2003

• Nimrod R.2P, XZ284/84, 206 Squadron, Royal Air Force, Kinloss, Scotland, 1998

• Nimrod R.1P, XW664/64, No.51 Squadron, Royal Air Force Wyton, UK, July 1984

• Nimrod R.1, XW665/65, No.51 Squadron, Royal Air Force Wyton, UK, 1984

• Nimrod R.1, XW666/66, No.51 Squadron, Royal Air Force Wyton, UK, May 1984
  

• Nimrod R.1, XW664/64, 51 Squadron, Royal Air Force, Wyton, 1985

• Nimrod R.1, XW665/65, 51 Squadron, Royal Air Force, Wyton, July 1992

• Nimrod R.1, XW666/66, 51 Squadron, Royal Air Force, Wyton, April 1989

• Nimrod R.1, XW664/64, 51 Squadron, Royal Air Force, Waddington, 1995
  

• Nimrod R.1P, XW665, 51 Squadron, Royal Air Force Waddington, July 1997

• Nimrod R.1, XW666, 51 Squadron, Royal Air Force Wyton, July 1992

• Nimrod R.1P, XV249, 51 Squadron, Royal Air Force Waddington, June 2003

• Nimrod MR.2P, XV246/46, 51 Squadron, Royal Air Force Waddington, July 2007

• Nimrod MR.2P, XV258/58, 'Guernsey Girl', 201 Squadron, Royal Air Force, Seeb, Oman, Operation Granby (Desert Storm), 1991

• Nimrod MR.2P, XV284/84, 201 Squadron, Royal Air Force Kinloss, 1993

• Nimrod MR.2P, XV244/44, 'Battle Star 42', 42 Squadron, Royal Air Force, Seeb, Oman, Operation Granby (Desert Storm), 1991

• Nimrod MR.2P, XV241/41, 201 Squadron, Royal Air Force Kinloss, 1993

•  

MA-72159 - H.S. Nimrod MR.1 / MR.2 / MR.2P Part II

• H.S. Nimrod, XV148, Royal Aircraft Establishment, Bedford, UK, October 1979

• H.S. Nimrod, XV250/50, No.201 Squadron, Royal Air Force Kinloss, UK, 1977

• H.S. Nimrod, XV254/54, No.42 Squadron, Royal Air Force Kinloss, UK, 1977

• Nimrod MR.2, XV229/29, No.42 Squadron, Royal Air Force, Fincastle Trophy competition, South Australia, 1984

• Nimrod MR.2P, XV232/32, No.201 Squadron, Royal Air Force, Wideawake airfield, Ascension Island, October 1987

• Nimrod MR.2P, XV228/28, No.201 Squadron, Royal Air Force Kinloss, UK, 1993

• Nimrod MR.2P, XV252/52, No.201 Squadron, Royal Air Force Kinloss, UK, 1998

MA-72160 - H.S. Nimrod MR.1 / MR.2 / MR.2P Part II

• H.S. Nimrod MR.1, XV251/51, No.120 Squadron, Royal Air Force Kinloss, UK, 1971

• Nimrod MR.2P, XV233/33, No.42 Squadron, Royal Air Force Kinloss, UK, 1997

• Nimrod MR.2P, XV250/50, Horsham St. Faith, Norwich, UK, March 2005

• Nimrod MR.2P XV233/33, 42 Squadron, Royal Air Force Kinloss, UK, 1992

• Nimrod MR.2P XV255/55, Royal Air Force Kinloss MR Wing, UK, 2005

• Nimrod MR.2P, XV235/35, Maritime Reconnaissance Wing, Royal Air Force, Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, Operation Telic, 2003

• Nimrod MR.2P, XV240/40, 120 Squadron, Royal Air Force Kinloss, UK, 1993
  H.S. Nimrod MR.1, XV254/54, 120 Squadron, Royal Air Force Kinloss, UK, October 1980

• Nimrod MR.1, XV246/46, Royal Air Force St Mawgan, UK, April 1977

• Nimrod MR.1, XV246/46, Royal Air Force St Mawgan, UK, 1978

• Nimrod MR.1, XV246/46, 120 Squadron, Royal Air Force Kinloss, UK, Fincastle Trophy, 1980

• Nimrod MR.2P, XV249/49, 120 Squadron, Royal Air Force Kinloss, UK, early 1980s

• Nimrod MR.2P, XV249/49, Royal Air Force Kinloss, UK, early late 1980s

• Nimrod MR.2P, XV235/35,120 Squadron, Royal Air Force Kinloss, UK, 1992

The decals are printed in perfect register, are thin and have a minimal border of carrier film. The colours look good, both for the roundels and the unique markings.

Instructions are also very good, being presented in A5-sized stapled booklets with side views of all the subjects plus a text description.

If you have managed to snag one of the new Airfix Nimrod kit, you really should do yourself a favour and pick up one of these new Model Alliance decal sheets, as they are clearly superior to the markings supplied by Airfix.

They will make a visible difference to your big Nimrod.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Aviation Workshop / Model Alliance (UK)  for the review sample

Model Alliance products are available online from the Aviation Workshop.

Review Copyright © 2008 by Brett Green
Page Created 27 March, 2008
Last updated 27 March, 2008

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