Dornier
Do 335 Decals

Cutting Edge

Reviewed by Brett Green

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Meteor Productions

Cutting Edge Decals present three timely new decal sheets for the Do 335. These 1/48 scale decals will provide some welcome variation for Tamiya's beautiful new Dornier, but are equally applicable to the old (but respectable) Monogram kit.

Each set comprise one 8" x 5.5" decals sheet; a letter-size, double-sided full colour painting and placement diagram and a single-sided text description of aircraft background and markings.

Registration is perfect on all my samples. Opacity and colours also look good.

One of the criticisms leveled at the Tamiya kit is the inescapably bland finish applied to almost all of these amazing aircraft.

Cutting Edge have risen to the challenge and provided a good selection of options for this gorgeous model, including Arrows in US, British and French markings; in addition to airframes in various states of natural metal finish.

CED48130, Do 335 Arrow Part 1

This set supplies markings for five aircraft. One is a Do 335 with a camouflaged power egg and the remainder of the airframe in natural metal. This intriguing scheme features British roundels.

There is an interesting aircraft wearing operational codes. This was one of the earliest prototypes - Do 335 V3. The instructions show the lower vertical fin in splinter camouflage, but photographs confirm that this was painted the same colour as the lower fuselage - probably RLM 65. According to Michael Ullman's well thought-out article on Do 335 camouflage here on HyperScale, this upper surface camouflage may well have been colours 70 and 71. It should also be noted that this aircraft featured a canopy with prominent side blisters, so some vacforming will be required!

Do 335A-0, Wnr. 240102, is supplied in German markings and with optional US markings after capture. Although the instructions suggest that the upper surfaces of this aircraft is finished in a solid colour, a photograph on page 180 of Monogram's "Do 335 Arrow" book by Smith, Creek and Hitchcock suggests a faded, low contrast splinter scheme. The darkest camouflage colour is significantly lighter than the US Olive Drab used to paint out the national markings. My guess would be faded 81 Braunviolett and 82 Lichtgrun.

The remaining subject on this first sheet is the two-seater Do 335 M11. Tamiya have already announced the forthcoming release of a two-seater "Anteater" version.

CED48131, Part 2

Cutting Edge's second Do 335 decal set includes an overall Khaki Do 335 "B" series aircraft in French markings. It is probably just a matter of time until we see a conversion with the wing cannon, larger wheels and modified canopy of this variant.

Two simply marked "A-0" series and two two-seaters (one with a natural metal power egg and one on US markings) are also included in this set.

CED48132, Part 3

This set supplied markings for one two-seater in RAF markings with an unpainted power egg, a totally unpainted two-seater in Luftwaffe markings, another camouflaged two-seater and two single seaters. Stencil detail was sparse on these late-war aircraft, and Cutting Edge supply sufficient quantity for several aircraft. Surprisingly, there is no stencil placement diagram in the instructions. These three decal sheets will provide a welcome excuse to build more than one of Tamiya's 1/48 scale Dornier Do 335s! Recommended. Thanks to Meteor Productions for the review sample

Cutting Edge Modelworks decals and accessories are available at Meteor Productions Website

Review and Image Copyright © 2000 by Brett Green
Page Created 18 October, 2000
Last updated 22 July, 2003

Back to HyperScale Main Page

Back to Reviews Page