Douglas C-47 Dakota

Xtradecal, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Mick Evans

Xtradecal has released a new decal sheet with 1/48 scale markings for Douglas C-47 Dakota/Skytrains in USAAC, RAF and RAAF schemes.  The decals are recommended for the new 1/48 scale Trumpeter kit but will also be suitable for the old Monogram/Revell offering.

The decals are superbly printed with good colour saturation. They are in perfect register.  As usual with Xtradecals, the carrier film is ultra thin. My experience with their decals in the past has been that they will snuggle down into the surface detail well.  The carrier film then almost totally disappears under a coat of clear.

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The four schemes provided in this sheet are as follows

1. Douglas C-47B 43-16026 ES-X “Witch Hazel” of the 62nd TCS, 314th TCG B-44 based at Poix in France during the Rhine Crossing operation “Op Varsity" on the 24th March 1945.  The aircraft is finished in Olive Drab upper surfaces and Neutral Grey lower surfaces.  The motto “Witch Hazel” is painted on the left hand side of the nose.

2. Douglas C-47A 42-100766 4U-D “Lilly Belle II” of the 89th TCS, 438th TCG based at RAF Greenham Common in August 1944.  The aircraft is finished in Olive Drab and Neutral Grey and has D-Day invasion stripes painted on the rear lower fuselage and lower wings.  The motto “Lilly Belle II” is painted on the left hand side of the nose and may have been applied to the right hand side as well.

3. Douglas Dakota Mk III KG326 I9-Y of No 575 Sqn based at RAF Broadwell 1944.  The aircraft is finished in Olive Drab and Neutral Grey and would have had D-Day invasion stripes painted on the rear lower fuselage and lower wings from the 6th June 1944.

4. Douglas Dakota Mk IV KN340 VM-YBN “Spirit of Middlesex” of No 234 Sqn based at Camden NSW Australia in September 1945.  The aircraft is finished in Olive Drab and Neutral Grey and has standard RAAF markings for that period although one could question the yellow ring on the fuselage roundel indicated on the instruction sheet.  The motto “Spirit of Middlesex” is painted on the left and right hand side of the nose

This is another fine quality release from Xtradecal, and represents great timing for the Trumpeter 1/48 scale C-47 kit.

Thanks to Hannants for the review sample

Xtradecals are available online from Hannants' website

Review Text Copyright © 2008 by Mick Evans
This Page Created on 14 September, 2008
Last updated 14 September, 2008

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