Cutting Edge Modelworks

1/48 Captured Allied Aircraft Zircus Rosarius  Special Missions Part 3 decal sheet

Product # CED48258 for $8.99

Product Article by Steve Bamford on Apr 27 2004

 

 

 

This new decal sheet from Cutting Edge Modelworks includes markings for six  different 1/48 captured Allied aircraft.  These aircraft include a P-51B Mustang, Sptifire Mk. XI and a Typhoon 1a.

During WW2, the Luftwaffe captured many Allied aircraft and repaired them into flying condition.  The Verschuchsverband (the Trials and Research Unit of the Luftwaffe High command) flew and assessed the capabilities of captured Allied fighters and toured these aircraft to various Luftwaffe fighter units as the 'Wanderzirkus Rosarius".  The aircraft tested by them included P-51's, P-38's, P-47's, Spitfires, Mosquitos and a Typhoon.  There were also one or more Spitfire that had it's nose removed and a Bf-109 nose and engine grafted onto the Spitfire......this gave the capture Spitfire a  very odd appearance.........some would say...."unattractive appearance".  

The B-17 was also flown to fighter bases to show the Luftwaffe pilots the strengths and weaknesses of the B-17...armour etc.  Captured B-17s flown by the Luftwaffe with KG 200 were used on secret night time missions to deliver agents behind enemy lines.  Reports of B-17's in US markings shadowing US formations were made, but often these were either lost bombers trying to find their way home or the bombers weren't close enough to be fully identified, so this mystery remains.  

The first aircraft is a P-51B with 2./VVB OKL out of Wunstorf in the summer of 1944.  The paint scheme on this Mustang typical for captured aircraft operated by the Luftwaffe.  The paint scheme is RLM 74 green on the topside and RLM 04 Yellow on the underside and tail.  Code letters on the side in white are small "T9" and large black letters "CK".  There is also a large Swastika on the tail and the T9 CK are also on the underside of the wings.    

The second aircraft is a Spitfire with 2./VVB OKL out of Neumark in the summer of 1944.  This was originally an RCAF Spitfire serial # Mk698 with 412 Sq. that was shot down near Krefeld.  The paint scheme on this Spitfire typical for captured aircraft operated by the Luftwaffe.  The paint scheme is RLM 74 green on the topside and RLM 04 Yellow on the underside and tail.  Code letters on the side in white are small "T9" and large black letters "EK".  There is also a large Swastika on the tail and the T9 EK are also on the underside of the wings.  

The third aircraft is a Typhoon 1a with 2./VVB OKL out of Neumark in the summer of 1944.  This was originally an RNZAF Typhoon serial # EJ956 with 486 Sq. that was shot down by flak over Fecamp.  The paint scheme on this Typhoon typical for captured aircraft operated by the Luftwaffe.  The paint scheme is RLM 74 green on the topside and RLM 04 Yellow on the underside and tail.  Code letters on the side in white are small "T9" and large black letters "GK".  There is also a large Swastika on the tail and the T9 GK are also on the underside of the wings.  

The decals were flawlessly printed and in perfect registration and the clear carrier film is trimmed very close to the crisply printed colored areas.  

The instructions are clear and includes 3 view drawings and an extra page of text instructions is included with a small bit of info about all 3 of the planes as well as helpful tips for decal application. 

A very nice decal sheet and highly recommended for anyone with an interest in captured Allied aircraft used by the Luftwaffe.

I would like to thank Cutting Edge Modelworks for providing me with this review sample.

Steve

Click on images below to see larger images of the instruction sheets

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford