FCM decals for Albatros D.III/D.V in 1/72 scale

[Jamo]

Albatros D.III/D.V decals by FCM in 1/72

#72016

First Look Review by James Fahey



FCM is a Brazilian-based decal producer run by Felipe Canuto Miranda. FCM has been in business since 1996 and as well as WWI, the decal range covers a wide range of subjects including Brazilian and Latin-American subjects.

http://www.fcm.eti.br/

This set is a re-issue of one designed quite few years ago. For those modellers who remember the original release, this set is a big improvement as since 2006 all FCM decals have been printed by Microscale in the US, and the quality looks top-notch.

Ten markings options are included in the set:
1. Albatros D.Va Jasta 46W 'Stropp' Erich Gurgenz
2. Albatros D.Va Jasta 5 Wilhelm Gueke
3. Albatros D.III (OAW) Jasta 50 Wfw. Wittenfeld
4. Albatros D.V Jasta 16b Otto Kissenberth
5. Albatros D.V Jasta 37 Ltn Ernest Udet
6. Albatros D.III (OAW) Jasta 32b Lt Kurt Petzinia
7. Albatros D.III Jasta 37 Ltn Ernst Udet
8. Albatros D.III (Oef) Flik 24 Zgf. Karl Bedo
9. Albatros D.III (Oef) Flik 41j Hpt. Godwin Brumowski
10. Albatros D.III Jasta 28W Ltn Karl Emil Schafer

These scans show the two A4 pages of full colour decal placement guides:









There are sufficient crosses included in the set to complete two aircraft, one German and one Austro-Hungarian. Note that lozenge decals are not included.

Availability
Apart from a number of Brazilian retailers, these decals are available from Hannants in the UK, Sprue Brothers in the US, FlightDecs in Canada, Luchtvaart Hobby Shop in the Netherlands, HPM Hobbies in Singapore, http://stores.ebay.com/SCOTTS-MODEL-WORKSHOP, Karaya in Poland and three shops in Switzerland (Wingsandtracks.ch, gdkits.com and luckymodel.com)

A quick search on the internet suggests this new set has not found its way to retailers yet and I did not find any prices.

Likes:

• Good selection of markings, including 3 well known aces and the choices span a variety of Albatros wing finishes (mauve/green, lozenge, 3 colour, plain CDL for Austro Hungarian)
• Includes instrument gauges (although they are tiny)
• Includes Axial propeller logos and weight tables
• Well illustrated decal placement guide in colour
• Decal quality appears to be excellent, Microscale have an excellent reputation

Didn’t like so much

• A minor niggle, one of the options has no personalised markings and consists only of national insignia (10, Karl Emil Schafer’s D.III)
• Colour call out quotes FS codes only – not sure that this will be very useful for most modellers

Conclusion
Very nice set – lots of colourful interesting markings. This set will be particularly valuable for those modellers with Roden Albatros kits in their stash as Roden's decal quality is not particularly good.

These decals were provided by FCM Decals for review here at ww1aircraftmodels.com