They all have a "mouth" that is too wide...
Are we talking P-40s or politicians, Vince?
I just received my sheet as well and agree with Bill about its quality. The markings are very clear, precise, and detailed. I'm no expert on colors since I'm partially color-blind, but they look spot-on to me. I have other Zotz (and Albatros) decals but have not actually had the opportunity to use any, so can't speak for how they go on. The accompanying instructions are very informative and well-illustrated. My only minor complaint is that there is only one small profile showing the topside camouflage scheme, and it's my belief that it's not entirely accurate. Camouflage on P-40s was generally applied at the factory using masks, so the scheme was the same on each aircraft. A January, 1995, article in Finescale Modeler by Dana Bell includes the most accurate rendition I've seen, based on photographs I've looked at. A larger profile on the instructions would be nice to aid in masking and painting.
The decals include enough US national insignia to only do one aircraft, so if you decide to do a second or third you need to obtain more insignia. No stencils are included but that's no big deal since the kit markings include them.
As to the accuracy of the specific markings, I can't speak for the Free French version "Madkot" since I don't seem to have any photographs of this specific aircraft. However, by coincidence I've either modeled or am in the process of modeling the three US aircraft in 48th scale, and here are my thoughts on each:
"
Miss Fury:" As stated in the instruction sheet, this aircraft was originally painted OD/NG but at some point the topside was over-painted in Sand. This paint faded rapidly and obtained a pinkish hue and was nicknamed "Desert Pink," along with another more vulgar name. The instructions accurately show how the OD was retained on part of the windscreen and canopy, along with the area underneath the window panels aft of the cockpit. This aircraft is profiled in Carl Molesworth's book, "P-40 Warhawk Aces of the MTO," but this was before some photographs of it recently came to light so the book's profile is slightly inaccurate. The markings on this sheet appear to be based on these photographs so are very accurate, although the lightning bolts on the rudder look slightly different to me. The sheet provides the name "Miss Fury" for both sides of the nose, but since I don't have a photograph of the starboard side can't say with certainty if this was the case.
Reference for this aircraft can be found here:
http://57thfightergroup.org/pictures/whittaker/index.html "
Duchess of Durham:" The instruction sheet correctly mentions that this aircraft has a replacement lower cowl, probably painted OD/NG. Again, the markings on the sheet appear to be very accurate based on photographs. However, as with "Miss Fury" I can't find a photograph of the starboard side, where the wording "My Gal Sal" is to be placed, so can't comment on this. While with the 325th FG, "Duchess" had the yellow and black checkerboard group markings on the tail area. These markings are included with the decal sheet and, unlike the ones I've seen in 48th scale, are already colored yellow and black. Most of 48th scale ones only include the black checkers, having you paint the tail area yellow first then applying the decal. It'll be interesting to see how these work. I imagine more industrious folks might simply mask and paint this whole pattern.
Reference: "Checkertails:The 325th FG in the Second World War," by Ernest R. McDowell.
"
Sweet Bets:" Arguably the most attractive markings on the sheet, there are a number of great color photographs of this aircraft as a reference making it a no-brainer to depict! The decal markings look fabulous, especially the depiction of "Dopey."
References: "P-40 Warhawk in World War II Color," by Jeffrey L. Ethell.
"Curtiss P-40F Warhawk," by Seweryn M. Fleischer.
A couple of notes about these two references. First, Ethell's book has a photograph of the cockpit area of "Jazz" Jaslow's (pilot of "Sweet Bets") P-40 and indicates it is an "F" model in the caption. I believe it to be an "L" model and one he flew later. Regardless, this doesn't affect the decals, which correctly depict his "F." Secondly, Fleischer's book has a good overall port side photograph of "Sweet Bets" but lists the serial number incorrectly.
All in all, I give this decal sheet "2 thumbs up" and can't wait for the resin nose to be released. I hope it is a success so that Eli will release additional P-40F/L decals. I would love to see "Li'l Joe" of the 79th FG in 32nd scale!
Mark
