“Negrillo”
|
Stock Number and Description | BD-35018, “Negrillo”, Tank Markings of “la Guerra Civil”, the Spanish Civil War 1936-1939 |
Scale: | 1/35 |
Media and Contents: | Water slide decals |
Price: | |
Review Type: | First Look |
Advantages: | Beautifully printed; large selection of interesting markings; fine details; excellent color saturation |
Disadvantages: | |
Recommendation: | Highly Recommended |
FirstLook
These days there are a decent amount of early and pre-WW2 AFV
injection-molded styrene plastic kits, particularly those
manufactured by Germany and the Soviet Union. Italy is miserably
represented in that media, but kits can be had in resin/multimedia.
So, a comprehensive decal sheet devoted to the “dress rehearsal” for
WW2, The Spanish Civil War, is quite timely indeed.
The markings on the relatively small (2.75 x 5-inches) sheet provide
specific items to decorate 22 (that’s right; TWENTY-TWO!) complete
vehicles. This includes three Fiat CV.33s, three CV.35s and one
CV.33L “Lanciaflamme” tankettes. Other markings are provided for six
Soviet T-26B Model 1933s, four Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.As, two Pz.Kpfw.I
Ausf.A “Modificado” tanks with 20mm Breda gun, two Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.Bs
and a single kl.Pz.Bef.Wg.I Ausf.B. All are AFVs that were operated
by Franco’s Nationalists, specifically the CVT Tank Group.
What this essentially means is that there are some very unusual
camouflage and markings combinations, on some very unusual vehicle
types. Many of the markings feature the “red-yellow-red” flash as
well as Tac numbers and various unit devices. There are also company
and platoon tactical signs in various forms.
The decals are beautifully printed by Microscale and feature
extraordinarily fine details and excellent color saturation, while
being in perfect registration. This is important since there are
several items that are not only multi-colored, but are surrounded by
fine borders. The instructions consist of two full, single-sided A4
sheets as well as a smaller 4 x 6-inch sheet, which contains a
single scheme, but most importantly, a graphic explanation of what
the battalion, company, platoon and vehicle Tac signs represented.
The remaining instruction sheets have numbered call-outs that match
a “map”, which in turn covers the particular designs needed for a
given scheme. In all cases multiple views of the subject AFV are
given along with color information. There is also a list of
published and internet reference sources. Finally, a research credit
for ML member Stirling Lowery is given (Well Done, sir!).
This is as fine a product as has ever hit the market and the subject
is simply irresistible. Those of you who have a T-26 or variations
of the Pz.Kpfw.I “in the pile” need to check this one out. Now if
only Bronco would come up with the promised CV.33-L3 tankette!
Highly Recommended
Bison products are available at retail and mail order shops and
directly from the manufacturer at:
http://www.angelfire.com/pro/bison . Visit their web site for
images of reviewed items.
Text and Images by Frank V. De
Sisto
Page Created 28 January, 2006
Page Last Updated
24 March, 2006