Decal Sheet Review: Non-Yak VVS from AML

By Ilya Grinberg


    In our forthcoming decal sheet review series, we'll seek to highlight and critique some of the currently available-- and long past issue-- VVS decal sheets. In this next of a series of installments, we'll take a look at a new 1:48 scale VVS Fighter sheet.

[All decal sheet scans have been deliberately skewed and distorted at random angles to dissuade illegal reproduction or Copyright infringement by any such parties. The precise line and measurement of any specific marking, therefore, should not be taken literally from these illustrations.]

A new series of VVS decals came from Czech manufacturer AML following their excellent Yak series. They include Sukhoy Su-2 (AML 72008), Hurricane in the USSR/Part 1 (AML72009) and Part 2 (AML72010), and Ilyshin IL-4 Over the III Reich (AML72011).



 

AML    Sheet No. AML72008    "Sukhoy Su-2"
 





    The Su-2 sheet is designed for ICM kit and includes markings for five aircraft: four of them with M-88B engine and one with M-82. Very attractive schemes have been chosen. However, none of them is usable for the kit, which comes with M-88 engine cowling. An aftermarket conversion set by PH models is recommended but I was unable to locate it in the US or on the known web sites.
The following aircraft are represented:
· Su-2 M-88B with TSS turret of the 210 BBAAP (short-range bomber regiment), pilot Sivkov, navigator Zemljakov
· Su-2 M-88B with TSS turret of the 52BBAP, pilot Janickij
· Su-2 M-82 of the 52 BBAP, pilot Pushkin, regiment's CO
· Su-2 M-88B of the 288 BBAP
· Su-2 M-88B of the 43 BBAP

AML    Sheet No. AML72009    "Hurricane in the USSR/Part 1"
 






    Hawker Hurricane sets represent four aircraft on the first sheet:
· Hurricane Mk.IIB Trop of the 81 Squadron, RAF, Vaienga/Murmansk
· Hurricane Mk.IIB of the 26 IAP, Moscow Air Defense
· Hurricane Mk.XI, artillery spotter plane of the Detached Artillery Spotter Squadron of Leningrad Front. To my astonishment a resin machine gun for the observer is included in the set!
· Hurricane Mk.IIB of the 134 Squadron, RAF, Vajenga


AML    Sheet No. AML72010    "Hurricane in the USSR/Part 2"
 






    The second sheet represents three aircraft:
· Hurricane Mk.IID of the 246 IAP with two resin 40mm underwing gun pods included with the set!
· Hurricane Mk.IIB of the 152 IAP
· Hurricane Mk.IIB of the 609 IAP

AML    Sheet No. AML72011    "Ilyshin IL-4 Over the III Reich"
 






    Ilyushin IL-4 set represents two machines of the 3 Guards Bomber Regiment of the Long Range Aviation (ADD)

Summary
 
Now I would like to make general comment on these sets.
All of them are very well printed, in register, and with reach bright colors. The artwork of instruction sheets is excellent and compares to the best decals available. The second and third pages of the instruction sheets include opposite sides of the featured airplanes and their top views.
The fourth page of each set includes recommended colors with references to FS system and suggested paint lines from Agama, Aeromaster, Gunze Sangyo, Humbrol, Model Master, and Revell.
Recommended kits are listed as well as references.
All schemes are well researched. My only reservation is about silver outlines for national insignia as well as silver digits and emblems on the Hurricane and IL-4 sheets. I do not have enough information at this time to prove otherwise. Each modeler should use his or hers references to make an educated decision.

Highly recommended.
AML should be congratulated for the job well done.

My thanks to AML (Lazar Miroslav) of The Czech Republic for the review samples.