Royal Netherlands AF

C-130 Hercules and

DHC L-20A Beaver

Dutch Decal

Reviewed by Dale Smith

'Dutch Decals' latest release covers the following aircraft:

1. Lockheed C-130 Hercules, Serial G-275 of 334 Squadron, RNethAF, " 55 Year Anniversary of 334 Sqd " based at Eindhoven Airbase, 1999-2000. This aircraft has attractive artwork on a light blue and black vertical tailplane of a white winged horse with large '55' and a red/white/blue flash.
2. DHC L-20A Beaver in RNethAF service with the following schemes :
   • Aircraft Serial S-4 in an Overall Olive Drab glossy finish based at Valkenburg/Ypenburg with 334 Squadron during 1956-59.
   • The same aircraft during the same period but in a scheme of Camouflage Green and Dark Earth.
   • Aircraft Serial S-5 , also of 334 Squadron during the same period in the above camouflage scheme.
   • Aircraft Serial S-7, same squadron, same period with differing tail squadron badge.
   • Aircraft Serial S-8 of 322/323 Squadron based at Leeuwarden Air Base. This aircraft is in the camouflage scheme but with FS 28913 Fluorescent Red-Orange nose, tailplane and wingtips.

The decals come enclosed in an air tight zip locked bag, with a double-sided A4 size sheet of instructions that include artwork and a brief outline of the aircraft subject. The decals were all nicely printed with good colour density and register, with the exception of the national markings with the blue colour being ever so slightly out of alignment/register. 

Complete decals are supplied that cover the DHC Beaver aircraft, however additional set no.72025 will be required to complete the C-130 Hercules aircraft option. One area that may cause a little grief is that for selection 'e' above, the background of the unit tail-marking must be painted a light grey colour to colour the bird motiff appropriately for when it is applied. No particular Grey colour is suggested, however a grey disc of pre-painted decal may suffice. The decals are also very thin, so a little more extra care would be needed in their application.

Recommended kits for the C-130 Hercules are the Italeri, Airfix and Hobbycraft kits. For the DHC Beaver the Airfix and Hobbycraft kits are suggested.

A nice choice of options for something a little bit out of the ordinary.

Recommended

Thanks to Luuk of Dutch Decals for the review samples.