1/32 Dutch Decal Meteor Decals

[JeroenPeters]

1:32 Dutch Gloster Meteor F.Mk.4/T.Mk.7

LSK ®NethAF.

Decals
Dutch Decal
Catalogue # 32023
Available from Dutch Decal for €14

 

 

For years Dutch Decals has made a niche for themselves in providing decals (among other things) for aircraft used by the Koninklijke Luchtmacht or KLu (Royal Netherlands Air Force). Apart from the national Dutch aviation industry such as Fokker, Koolhoven, many types from different international manufacturers were used. As a result there is a large pool of colour schemes worn by many different aircraft types to choose from. Mainly aimed at the Dutch market, however if you are interested in a Dutch livery this brand is usually where you end up. With the recent release of the HK Models Meteor F4 they have thoughtfully provided a comprehensive decal sheet. Not surprisingly these cover a large number of Dutch operated Gloster Meteors.

 

 

What do you get?

Two decal sheets in A5 format in a re-sealable clear plastic bag. One sheet carries the individual identities of the various Meteors. The second sheet is completely devoted to the airframes stencils. The HK Models kit does have a number of these stencils but the Dutch Decal sheet is in a whole different league. A fold-out A3 format instruction sheet complements the set. These show colour artwork of the available liveries as well as detailed information where to place the decals. This is indeed one of the most comprehensive sheets by this manufacturer. The artwork is first class and clearly show the different liveries used in Dutch service. Most options are for the inevitable high speed silver scheme. Some would call that boring, but for the Meteor this really accentuates the type’s classic lines. The high speed silver is not a natural metal exterior but the whole airframe was sprayed a silver colour. Later in service the meteors were sprayed in grey/green camouflage. Some liveries are for a target towing or photoreconnaissance version. The target towing version had the yellow and diagonal black striped undersides similar to the RAF-version. These are strikingly colourful so there is much to choose from. The instruction sheet also has some very useful photographs showing that parts of the cockpit were interior green as opposed to all black. The photographs were taken from a preserved F4 at Soesterberg. Of course preserved aircraft can be misleading so check your refererences.

 

Stencils

The separate stencil sheet is fantastic and worth buying this set for, even if you are not into Dutch Meteors. Due to the large number of small decals you really have to work in an orderly fashion otherwise you cannot see the forest through the trees (Dutch saying). It took Cees five evenings of work to get them all on. They are all in English (apart from the stencil for the T7, which is in Dutch). They are also perfectly legible which is  nice.

 

 

 

Beware of the instructions

Be careful though as there are some mistakes such as misnumbered stencils. The datum stencils are especially tricky as there a more of them indicated on the instruction sheet as there are decals. Luuk Boerman told LSM that the instructions are at fault. Looking at the horizontal tail it indeed looks like a datum stencil frenzy. Luuk also mentioned that information about the stencils was not complete. Thus only the stencils for fuselage and upper surfaces of the wing and tail surfaces are provided. You won’t find any decals for the undersurfaces. Some of the decals are for the fuselage tanks. On the HK Models kit there are no filler details here. Again, check your references.

 

Exercise Cupola

Some options are for operational meteors used during Western Union Air Defence Excersise “Cupola”. This was held between august 25th and august 27th 1950. This was the first largescale cooperation between the airforces of Britain, America, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Its aim was to test the detecting, identifying and tracking of enemy aircraft and directing fighters to their interception. During this exercise the noses of participating Meteors were painted red. Some already carried red nosecaps and tail acorns as squadron colours. For this exercise the area on the nose was extended to roughly in line with the front edge of the nosewheelbay.

 

Shape of things to come

Surprisingly one of the options is for a Meteor T7 trainer. It is hoped that Fisher Model and Pattern will provide a resin conversion set.

 

Quality

One of the options was used by Cees Broere on his HK Models Meteor. The decals are very well printed in good register. Colour density is also very good. There is a limited amount of decal film overlap. This completely disappears using the Micorscale Set and Sol system and a coat of varnish. It is advised to cut as much excess film away with scissors to reduce the risk of silvering. The decals only need a few seconds of immersion in luke warm water and they slide off easily. They are very strong and can stand some handling. Especially in the case where after five minutes Cees noticed that the large roundels were upside down. Using a brush with a lot of water they were lifted off without any damage. Be careful in using the set/sol solutions as the white was affected. But it could be too much of the solution applied. So be careful here. 

 

Conclusion?

A very welcome sheet. Even if a Dutch Meteor is not to your liking, the separate sheet with airframe stencils is worth buying for that alone.

 

Highly recommended.

 

Available directly from Dutch Decal, the Aviaton Hobby Shop or Hannants

 

Cees Broere en Jeroen Peters

 

[James H]

Glad we're seeing decals for this kit now.The kit ones are pretty poor, plus these have full stencils! 

[benjaminsummerfield]

I Just experienced how crap the kit decals are, these are well over due.

[Wingco57]

Mind you there are no stencils for the wing undersurfaces. But these will not be seen anyway as the

Meteor sits very low.

Cees