Fantasy Print Shop has come out with yet another great decal sheet, this time for the DeHavilland Vampire. As is typical with these folks, there are a number of superb schemes on this sheet; nine in all. They cover RAF, some Commonwealth, and a French example. All are FB.5 or FB.9 variants. The only real difference between the two is that the FB.9 has air conditioning and so has a larger 'bump' on the front of the right side intake. For kits in 1/48, you have Hobbycraft and Classic Airframes. Of the two, the Hobbycraft kit will probably be the least expensive, but it has some real shape issues. The more expensive Classic Airframes kit has dealt with many of the errors in shape of the Hobbycraft kit, but itself has a few issues as well. Perhaps Airfix or some other enterprising company will finally come up with a 100% correct Vampire in this scale but for now, one uses what is available.

Here is what is included on the sheet in the order shown:

1 - FB.5, 3/4 CAACU 1960
2 - FB.9, 502 Sq, 1955
3 - FB.5, 502/605/612 Sq, 1953
4 - FB.5, wing commander 502/605/612 Sq 1954

5 - FB.9, RAF Flying College, early 60s
6 - FB.5, Advanced Flying School, SAAF, 1971
7 - FB.31, 21 Squadron, RAAF, 1953
8 - FB.5, 75 Sq, RNZAF, 1964
9 - FB.5, Esc 57S, Aeronavale, 1960

The instructions are superbly printed on glossy paper and provide both sides as well as upper and lower painting and placement guides. The decals themselves are equally as outstanding. The decals are glossy and have very small clear carriers. Common data markings are provided for perhaps two planes and you can do five aircraft from the sheet if one is French and one South African.

Overall a superb sheet and one that I'm sure will be well received.

November 2005

Thanks to Fantasy Printshop for the review sheet. You can find this and other products by  visiting their website.

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