Exito Decals 1/48 Gustavs over the Balkans Decal First Look
By Michael Benolkin
| Date of Review | November 2018 | Manufacturer | Exito Decals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Gustavs over the Balkans | Scale | 1/48 |
| Set Number | 48001 | Pros | Excellent instructions! |
| Cons | Nothing noted | Skill Level | Basic |
| MSRP (USD) | $13.21 |
First Look
Exito Hobbies is an online hobby store based in Poland that very recently began to produce their own line of decals. This is the first release, covering three Bf 109G-6 examples operting in the Balkan region. The decals are printed by Cartograf, but these instructions are outstanding. Each subject is covered on two-sides of a heavy stock page as shown below. The beautiful color profiles provide three full views plus scrap views of the undersides showing the camouflage patterns as well as the decal placements. A period photo is also included on the page for documentation.
The subjects include:
- Bf 109G-6, Black 5, 2./JG 53, Borovo AB, Croatia, 1944
- Bf 109G-6, Black 12, 7./JG 77, Mizil, Romania, 1944
- Bf 109G-6, W.Nr.166133, captured by US forces, San Giovanni, Italy, 1944
The decals provide complete swastikas for customers outside of the EU and partials for the rest of them. You can see how they've replicated the hastily hand-painted 'under new management' markings for the captured example as well as the distinctive markings for each of the other aircraft. What isn't on the sheet are airframe stencils or walkways which are available elsewhere in the aftermarket or in most kits.
These instructions are extremely well done and even include RLM identification of the camouflage with GSI (Gunze) and AK Interactive color equivalents. If you have the old Monogram Luftwaffe color and markings notebook, I'd put the decals in a safe place and add these instruction sheets into the notebook as they are worth keeping!
My sincere thanks to Exito for this review sample!