Cutting Edge Modelworks

1/48 P-59 Airacomet Part 2 decal sheet

Product # CED48254 for $8.99

Product Article by Steve Bamford on Apr 14 2004

 

 

 

This new decal sheet from Cutting Edge Modelworks includes markings for six different 1/48 P-59 Airacomets.  The recommended kits for these decals is the 1/48 Hobbycraft P-59 series.

The first aircraft is a YP-59A # 42-108783 "Mystic Mistress".  This particular aircraft was a late (drone controller) version.  This aircraft was originally Olive Drab and Neutral Gray and was later repainted ANA 509 (FS 11136) Red.  These are different sources saying different things about the colour of the text for the nose art....so both colours are included.  Some sources also say this aircraft was glossy black, but this is probably unlikely.

The second aircraft is  a YP-59A # 42-108783 "Mystic Mistress".  This particular aircraft was a late (drone controller) version.  This is the original Olive Drab and Neutral Gray paint scheme before it was repainted ANA 509 (FS 11136) Red.  

The third aircraft is a P-59A #44-22613 flown by Colonel David Lee "Tex" Hill (of Flying Tiger Fame) when he was the Commander of the 412th Figther Group out of Kern County Airport in Bakerfield, CA in the spring of 1945.  This aircraft is overall bare metal with a white nose and an Olive Drab anti-glare panel in front of the cockpit.  This plane has the number 82 on the side of the forward  fuselage.  This plane has the number 44-22613 in black on the tail. 

The fourth aircraft is a P-59A #44-22610 and was the first jet to land in Alaska, Ladd Field, Dec 9, 1944.  This aircraft is overall bare metal with an Olive Drab anti-glare panel in front of the cockpit.  This plane has the number 44-22610 in black on the tail.  

The fifth aircraft is a P-59B #44-22658 BuNo 64108 and was assigned to the US Navy NATC at Patuxent River on July 19 1947.  This aircraft is overall bare metal with an Olive Drab anti-glare panel in front of the cockpit.  This plane has the number TT-13 in black on the nose and the letters NATC on the tail.  

The sixth aircraft is a P-59B-1-BE #44-22637 based at Santa Monica Calif. in May 1945.  This aircraft is overall bare metal with an Olive Drab anti-glare panel in front of the cockpit.  This plane has the number 689 in black on the nose and the numbers 4422637 on the tail.  

The decals were flawlessly printed and the clear carrier film is trimmed very close to the crisply printed colored areas.  The colours look good and will cover very well.  Three of these planes have artwork. 

The instructions are clear and includes 2 view drawings and an extra page of text instructions is included with a small bit of info about 3 of the planes as well as helpful tips for decal application. 

A very nice decal sheet and highly recommended for modellers with an interest in this early American jet.

I would like to thank Cutting Edge Modelworks for providing me with this review sample.

Steve

Click on images below to see larger images of the instruction sheets

 

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford