1:32 B-25J Mitchell

Mitchells of the 447th Bombardment Squadron

This decal set in the large 1:32 scale is devoted to a pair of North American B-25J medium bombers of the 447th Bombardment Squadron, which belonged to the 321st Bombardment Group. That formation operated in the Mediterranean, flew from Corsican and later Italian airfields, and its crews broke up bridges, marshaling yards and supply routes in northern Italy and in Yugoslavia.

The first machine is a Mitchell with serial number 43-27636 and the name Ave Maria, the second 43-27492 with the name Reddie Teddie. For both the data also gives a Roman numeral two, which the squadrons used to distinguish aircraft repeating the number of a lost predecessor. The J version was the most numerous variant of the Mitchell and was built both with a glazed nose for a bombardier and with a solid nose full of machine guns.

Large motifs on the fuselage of a bomber

A bomber in this scale offers truly extensive surfaces and with them large pieces of film. It pays to cut close to the printing, because every surplus millimeter of glossy film shows on matte camouflage. Motifs across riveted seams are settled by a decal softener, which softens the film and draws it into the relief; the surface is covered with a protective varnish only after it has dried completely, and while it dries the decal is left undisturbed for at least forty-five minutes.

Extensive nose lettering is among the most striking things that distinguished American bombers on the Italian front, and it is precisely for that reason that modelers choose the large scale. The set is intended for a kit, which it completes with specific historical machines instead of the general markings from the box.