Nakajima J1N1-S/Sa Gekko Model 11 Decals

AML

Reviewed by Dave Williams

AML's 1/48 scale Gekko Decals are available online from Squadron.com

For those looking for a replacement for the thick decals in the new Tamiya early Gekko kit (kit 61084), AML Decals from the Czech Republic has a suitable decal sheet. The sheet contains markings for four aircraft:

• “White UI-13” from the 251st Kokutai. “Humpback” version with both upper and lower cannon, and collector exhausts. Dark green over light gray with white-bordered hinomarus on the fuselage and upper wings.

• “Red 02-03” from the 202nd Kokutai. “Humpback” version with both upper and lower cannon, and collector exhausts. Overall dark green with unbordered hinomarus all around. This is one of the markings in the Tamiya kit.

• “White YoD-187” from the 302nd Kokutai. “Straightback” version with upper cannon only and individual exhausts. Overall dark green with unbordered hinomarus all around and brown spinners. It should be noted that a photo of this aircraft shows that the area around the fuselage hinomaru notably darker than the surrounding part of the fuselage, indicating possible overpainting, although this is not mentioned in the instructions.

• “Red Yo-101” from the Yokosuka Kokutai. “Straightback” version with upper cannon only, individual exhausts, and radar nose. Overall dark green with unbordered hinomarus all around and brown spinners. It should be noted that a photo of this aircraft prior to the application of the kill markings shows that it carried a third upward firing cannon which is not shown in the decal sheet profile.

The decals, printed by Tally Ho, are nice and quite thin. The sheet includes a complete set of national markings for each aircraft, which is something I wish all manufacturers would do. Many times one buys a decal sheet containing four or five markings, but only one set of insignia. If you want to do more than one of the marking options, you usually have to come up with another set of insignia.

The hinomarus seem a little bright for my tastes, but perhaps they will darken when placed on the dark green background. Conversely, given the thinness of the decals, it is possible that the dark green might bleed through the white and yellow decals on the sheet.

The red tail tip decal on “Red Yo-101” is larger than the Tamiya tail, indicating that the sheet might not have been specifically designed for the kit. Similarly, the leading edge stripes are larger than the kit decals.

A couple of final notes. First, the markings on this sheet aren’t suitable for the first release of the Tamiya Gekko as the kit is of a “straightback” with collective exhausts, and none of the aircraft on this sheet match that configuration. Also, for those working on the Fujimi 1/72 scale kit, this sheet is also available as sheet 72012.

Just based on a first look, it appears that this sheet might provide an alternative to those who want to replace the kit decals. Recommended.

Sample courtesy of my ever dwindling bank account.

Dave Williams
IPMS/USA 19050
 

Review Copyright © 2002 by Dave Williams
Page Created 06 July, 2002
Last updated 22 July, 2003

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