1:72 Boulton-Paul Defiant Mk.Is

An Xtradecal 1:72 decal sheet, Boulton Paul Defiant Mk.I

A sheet of decals in 1:72 scale from the British brand Xtradecal with markings for the two-seat Defiant Mk.I fighter. It is neither a kit nor a plastic accessory, but a printed sheet laid onto a finished painted model. The particular machines, units and the extent of the accompanying lettering are given on the packaging and in the instructions supplied. Before buying, compare what the manufacturer gives on the packaging with the variant you want to build.

The real subject

The Boulton Paul Defiant was a two-seat fighter of all-metal construction with a Rolls-Royce Merlin engine whose armament was concentrated in a powered turret behind the pilot. It had no fixed forward-firing armament, which fundamentally determined the way it was used. In its two-man arrangement the crew consisted of a pilot and a gunner. After its use in day operations in 1940, some of the machines were transferred to night duties and to other supporting roles. The turret and its fairings are a typical and clearly visible feature in building.

Application tips

With sheets that have lain in storage for some time, caution pays off. The carrier film grows brittle over the years and may tear while soaking or release from the backing together with part of the print. Always start with the least important decal, therefore, and test how it behaves. If the film crumbles, go over the whole sheet with a thin coat of clear varnish from a can intended for decals, let it dry and then cut the individual decals out close to the print. The varnish strengthens the film and holds it together, but the edges have to be trimmed precisely.

Who the sheet is for

• modelers building Defiants in 1:72 scale
• anyone interested in British fighters of the start of the Second World War
• builders who want markings beyond the contents of the kit
• collectors of less usual types

The package contains the decal sheet only. The kit, paints and varnishes are not part of it.