1:48 German Insignia WWII

An even-armed cross on the skin

The marking German military aircraft carried between 1935 and 1945 is usually called the Balkenkreuz. It came about through simplifying an older order cross into four straight arms, and its form changed several times during the war. First it was a solid black cross with a white border, later, for camouflage reasons, only the outlines were used, while on the Eastern Front the borders were strengthened instead, so that a machine could be seen even against snow.

Why size decides

The size of the marking was not free. It followed from the depth of the fuselage and the span of the wing, so a single engine fighter carried a considerably smaller cross than a twin engine bomber. This sheet is drawn for machines the size of the Messerschmitt Bf 109 and its contemporaries. It will therefore not fit a larger aircraft and it is good to check that before buying.

Where the markings were placed

The cross belonged on both sides of the rear fuselage and on the upper and lower surfaces of both wings, with the lower marking usually larger and shifted closer to the wingtip. The exact position differed between individual plants, so it pays to compare it with the documentation for a particular machine.

Working with the sheet

The crosses have a large continuous area and sharp corners, which on a poor base are the first to lift. Gloss varnish, wet application and gentle pressing of the water out with a cloth from the center to the edges will safely do; apply a decal softener only on the curved leading edge.

Finally unify the completed markings with a thin layer of matte varnish. A difference in sheen between the film and the surrounding paint is more visible over a large area than with small lettering and gives away even an otherwise faultlessly applied piece.