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Archer Transfers Various - June 2007 releases
Archer Fine Decals - Various
Reviewed by Cookie Sewell
Summary
Stock Number, Scale, Description &
Price
Archer Fine Transfers new releases
AR35245; Pz. IV Ausf. F1 & F2, 14th Panzer Division, Russia 1942; price
US $9.95
AR35246; StuG III B, C, D or E, 2/Batt StuG Abt. 221, Barbarossa to
Moscow; price $6.95
AR35247; StuG III B, C, D, E, or F; 1, 2, 3 Batt StuG III Abt. 197;
price $7.95
AR35248; Dodge 3/4 ton truck instruments and miscellaneous stencils;
price $6.95
AR35249; StuG III B, C, D, and E; Sturmgescheutz Abteilung 192; price
$9.95
AR35250; M4A1 81mm mortar halftrack, 41st Armored Infantry, 2nd Armored
Division April 1944; price $6.95
Media and Contents:
Rub down decals
Review Type:
First Look
Advantages:
Provides for correct full markings for
specific vehicles or detailed upgrades of the kit markings; conversion
directions included where necessary
Disadvantages:
Recommendation:
Highly Recommended for the specific
vehicles listed in the header information
FirstLook
Wood Vondracek is one of the
busiest guys I know but at least he has good people doing his
research and assistance. One thing I do recall from the early days
of AFT is that Woody would always deliver on his promises; if he got
good, useful research information on a subject he would produce the
markings. That was much better than anybody else at the time, and
today he remains as one of the most quickly reactive and prolific
producers of dry and wet transfer markings in the hobby.
These six new released recently showed up and once again are typical
of AFT's standards. All are crisp, precise, and complete where
possible.
Sheet 35245 covers Pzkw. IV F1 and F2 variants in Russia in 1942 and
are designed to compliment the recent DML "Smart Kit" release.
Designed to go on grey vehicles, the markings are in black, white
and yellow and provide for one each F1 and F2 vehicles. Directions
are provided inside the packet for modifications to the kit.
Research for this set was provided by Jussi Metsala.
Sheet 35246 covers the 221st Sturmgescheutz Battalion in Russia and
is designed for either the new Tamiya Ausf. B or the older DML kits
of the early StuG III vehicles. Markings in black, white and red are
provided for one of two vehicles, either 201 or 212, and a memorial
inscription for a dead crewman is also provided for one vehicle.
Research for this set was provided by John F. Steinman.
Sheet 35247 covers another StuG III battalion, this one being StuG
Abt. 197. It provides for two vehicles from the three batteries, but
only one from each battery may be covered. Markings are in white,
yellow, red and black. Research was again provided by Mr. Steinman.
Sheet 35249 is a third variation on StuG battalions, and this time
the subject is the 192nd Battalion. Markings are provided for two of
six possible choices with 13, 14, 24, and 34 being the preset
versions. These are quite colorful with either a red on black or
yellow on black "skull and crossbones" provided along with the
tactical markings. Again the sheet is in red, yellow, black and
white.
Sheet 35248 is another of the excellent and time-saving sheets
covering dashboard instruments and placards, this time for the Dodge
WC-51/52 series 3/4 ton trucks. It also includes extra stencils for
antifreeze and tailgate warnings to other traffic. Markings are
provided for two vehicles. Research again was done for this sheet by
Norm Samuelson.
Sheet 35250 is for the new DML M4 81mm mortar halftrack and provides
the correct markings for vehicle 15, Headquarters, 3rd Battalion
41st Armored Infantry Regiment, 2nd Armored Division prior to
movement to France in April 1944. It is in yellow and white and
provides the tactical and serial numbers as well as the stars and
side markings. Researched by Pat Stansell, it also provides
directions on how to convert the DML M4 to a 2nd Armored version by
reversing the mortar and changing the interior layout.
Conclusion
These are all great sheets as we
have come to expect no less from AFT, and they have not
disappointed.