Pheon Decals new release: Hannover Cl.II in 1/32

[Jamo]

1/32 Decals for the Hannover Cl.II #32042
From Pheon Decals

Reviewed by James Fahey



Pheon Decals will be well known to most of us. Rowan and Sabine have now released this set for the Wingnut Wings Hannover Cl.II kit.

I love that sense of excitement when a package from Tremesay, France is in the letterbox. Pheon’s decal sets never fail to impress.



In this release there are markings for twelve Hannover Cl.II aircraft:
1.   13080/17 (unit unknown). The cartoon-like figure is rather unusual and eye-catching.
2.   Serial unknown, Schlasta 12, March 1918. Note the sash marking is not a chevron but continues forward over the fuselage.
3.   9338/17 Schlasta 24b, Sgt Zitzelsberger & Vzfw. Muller, March 1918
4.   9390/17 Schusta 30b, March 1918
5.   13282/17 Schlasta 31b, Vzfw. Peez & Gefr. Lang, May 1918
6.   132??/17 Schlasta 16 May 1918
7.   9387/17 Schusta 19, December 1917
8.   Serial unknown, Schusta 27b December 1917. Dan San Abbott described this marking as a “stylised dragonfly” in his book ‘Schlachtflieger!’ which seems a bit of a stretch given how unclear the photo is.
9.   9301/17 Schusta 12, Flg. Karl Romann & Vzfw. Georg Winkler January 1918
10.   13181/17 Fl. Abt. (A) 226, Vzfw. Willy Engler & Ltn. Alfred Kuerman
11.   13253/17 Schlasta 34, May 1918
12.   218 Polish Air Service. Modellers interested in this option should check out the spoked wheels produced by Steven Robson and available on this forum.







Rowan has been scrupulous with his selection of Hannover markings, a number of interesting options were passed over as they belonged to the virtually identical Hannover Cl.IIIa.

Dan-San Abbott had promulgated the view in his “Schlachtflieger!” book and on The Aerodrome forum that the upper flying surfaces of the Hannover Cl.II were covered in the light 5 colour lozenge (usually reserved for the underside) and that the under surfaces were covered in clear doped linen, not 5 colour lozenge. I do not recall any hard evidence for this view but it is interesting that the photo on page 27 of the WNW instruction booklet and page 11 of the Datafile shows no lozenge shapes on the underside. Fabric covering for the Hannover Cl.III and Cl.IIIa were of the normal dark & light lozenge patterns  according to Dan-San.

http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/aircraft/15754-four-five-colour-lozenge.html

http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/aircraft/1983-hannover-cl-ii-markings-opinions-sought.html


Things I liked

• Accurate depiction of the historical font used for the serial numbers (unlike some other decal manufacturers)
• Its nice to get so many markings options in a set (the price would not be significantly less for fewer options)
• Well researched as always from Pheon
• The usual excellent full colour decal placement guides
• Top quality decal production by Fantasy Printshop.

Things that could be improved
Only a small nitpick, its all good really. The larger polygons on the fuselage should have softer edges, but as Rowan points out in the instruction booklet, the artwork in the Wingnut Wings instruction booklet may better illustrate the appearance of the various possible fuselage finishes.



Availability
Only available directly from Pheon Decals via email. Note that although Pheon Decals’ website is still under development, their new email address is now operational: [email protected] and is preferred (the old email address will also continue in operation for a few more months).

Cost £15.00 plus postage and packing as follows:
Within European Union:  £3.60 per shipment which takes (on average) 3 working days.
To Rest of the world: **:  £4.95 per shipment which takes (on average) 7 working days.

Sabine notes that delivery to the USA is being delayed by additional security check by Homeland / Customs, adding sometimes 3 weeks to the 2 it normally takes.

**Mexico, Brazil, Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, Philippines:   
-  Up to 450gm (3 sets on average) and up to £50.00 in value: £11.00 RECORDED
-  Up to 750gm and up to £110.00 in value: £14.00 RECORDED
-  Up to 1000gm and up to £140.00 in value: £16.00 RECORDED

As the P&P takes into account weight, Pheon will prepare the order send the invoice with the correct P&P.

Conclusion
While not as colourful as the German fighter markings, the German two seaters did sport a variety of unit styles and individual markings, of which Pheon have provided an excellent selection. For those modellers wanting to finish their WNW Hannovers in something a bit different, then this set is just the ticket. Excellent quality, highly recommended.

Forthcoming releases
Rowan sent through his latest price list which notes the following sets due release soon:
32044    Barker’s Snipe& Canadian Fokkers (+ 4 Sqn AFC Snipes)   £7.50   Early July 2013
32045    Jasta 18 Fokker Fighters (Alb & OAW DVII) £12.75   Early July 2013
32039   R.A.F. R.E.8. Trainers and pets   £15.00   Late July 2013

Summer 2013 £TBA:
32016   Jasta 5 Ltn. Wolf Albatros D.V (reprint)
72014   Gloster Gladiator Mk. 1 International
72017   Gloster Gladiator Mk. 1 RAF Vol.1
72018   Gloster Gladiator Mk. 1 RAF Vol.2

Sep-13  £TBA
72027   Hanriot H.D.I in Italian Service Vol. 1
72028   Hanriot H.D.I in Italian Service Vol. 2
48017   Hanriot H.D.I in Italian Service Vol. 1
48018   Hanriot H.D.I in Italian Service Vol. 2
72023   Albatros D.V/Va Vol. 3
72024   Albatros D.V/Va Vol. 4

Thanks to Rowan Broadbent for providing the decals for this review.