Monogram's 1/48 scale Kingfisher is a nice kit despite its veteran status. It also has a raft of after market items available for it, including replacement resin floats, engine cowl, and interior from Cutting Edge; and vacformed canopy from Falcon.

If you have always wanted to dress up your superdetailed Kingfisher, here is your chance. They will even work if you have built the model straight from the box!

Red Roo has released two new sets of markings for RAAF Kingfishers in a nice range of colours and markings. Both sets are available in 1/48 scale (for the Monogram kit) and 1/72 scale (for the Airfix kit).

RRD4845 - RAAF Kingfishers, Part 1
RRD7249 - RAAF Kingfishers, Part 1

Four aircraft are covered on these sheets (the cover sheet is illustrated at the top of this page). They are:

• Kingfisher A48-4, 3OTU at Rathmines. This aircraft is finished in its original US Navy scheme of Blue Grey uppers and Light Grey lower surfaces. Variety is added via yellow bands on the fuselage, upper wings and float; plus black bands outlined thinly in yellow on the lower wings. RAF style markings are carried.

• Kingfisher A48-12 at Rathmines, November 1943. This aircraft was refinished in Extra Dark Sea Grey and Dark Slate Grey uppers, with RAAF Sky Blue on lower surfaces. The codes, JE-N, are Medium Sea Grey and blue/white RAAF markings are carried.

• Kingfisher A48-3, 107 Sqn at Rathmines, early 1944. This aircraft was refinished in Extra Dark Sea Grey and Dark Slate Grey uppers, with RAAF Sky Blue on lower surfaces. The codes, JE-N, are Medium Sea Grey and blue/white RAAF markings are carried. An unofficial Squadron badge was applied unde rthe port side canopy.

• Kingfisher A48-11, 107 Squadron at Rathmines, February 1944. This machine was stripped of paint, now being finished in bare metal with fabric areas painted in Aluminium dope. A patch of EDSG was left on top of the engine cowl as an anti-glare panel, and the canopy frames retained their paint. Codes are Medium Sea Grey and the Squadron badge is carried on the port side.

RRD4846 - RAAF Kingfishers, Part 2
RRD7250 - RAAF Kingfishers, Part 2

Four more Kingfishers are covered in Part 2. Contents and instructions are the same in the 1/72 and 1/48 scale sets:

• Kingfisher A48-13, RAAF Antarctic Flight, HMAS Wyatt Earp, March 1948. This aircraft was finished in overall Trainer Yellow.

• Kingfisher A48-11, 107 Squadron at Rathmines, Mid 1945. This machine was stripped of paint, now being finished in bare metal with fabric areas painted in Aluminium dope. A black anti-glare panel was painted on top of the engine cowling. Codes are Medium Sea Grey.

• Kingfisher A48-5 at Rathmines, September 1945. Finished as above, but with black codes.

• Kingfisher A48-17, 107 Sqn at Rathmines, September 1943. This aircraft was refinished in Extra Dark Sea Grey and Dark Slate Grey uppers, with RAAF Sky Blue on lower surfaces. The codes, JE-N, are Medium Sea Grey and blue/white RAAF markings are carried. The fin flash on the starboard side has been incorrectly applied with the blue leading.

The quality of the decals is very good. They are in register, with fine carrier film.

Instructions are excellent. The history and markings of each aircraft are covered over eight pages (four sheets) of A4 paper.

Red Roo's Royal Australian Air Force Kingfisher decals will a welcome addition to fans of the Aussie and Maritime Naval Aviation.

Highly Recommended.