Accessory, Bison Decals BD-72015, Jungle Armour

BISON DECALS


BD-72015, Jungle Armour. 1/72nd-scale water-slide decals with instructions.





Based on information seen in the latest book from The Factory Publishing, and produced with their cooperation, Bison has released this new sheet covering the use of the M4 medium tank in the Far East by British and Indian Army forces engaged in combat in Burma, and post-war in Indonesia. Included are markings for the following 10 Sherman tanks:

Sherman Mk V, 19th Lancers. Myebon, Burma, 1945.
Sherman Mk V, 'Banyard', Probyn's Horse. Burma, 1945.
Sherman Mk V, 'Cairntcul', 116th RAC. Burma, 1945.
Sherman Mk V, 'Cairngorm', 116th RAC. Burma, 1945.
Sherman Mk III DD, 25th Dragoons. India, 1945.
Sherman Mk V, 'Bidar', HQ Deccan Horse. Burma, 1945.
Sherman Mk V, 'Sagar', Deccan Horse. Burma, 1945.
Sherman Mk V AOP, 18th Field Regiment, RA. Burma, 1944.
Sherman Mk III, 13th Lancers. Java, Indonesia, 1946.
Sherman Mk III, 13th Lancers. Java, Indonesia, 1946.





The instructions are nicely laid out as half-tone drawings; they often feature more than one full view, as well as some scrap views. Features seen on specific tanks such as track types and field modifications peculiar to this theater of operations are shown to excellent effect. In addition, sub-types are accurately designated. The modeler is also directed to Bisons web-site, where full-color instructions can be down-loaded and printed, as needed. Finally, a map is included that shows the designs as they appear on the sheet, with their superimposed alpha-numeric identifiers. These correspond to the call-outs for each tank in the instructions. This is quite handy and takes much of the guess-work out of the process.





The designs are printed by Begemot, Bisons usual supplier. The quality is excellent, with good color saturation, proper registration and crisply-detailed edges; this is especially noticeable on the smaller multi-layer designs, which is a credit to the printer. The carrier film is matte and cut close to the edges of the designs.


Coordinating a decal sheet release with a publication is a fine idea; in fact this reviewer is surprised that it is not done more often. The primary advantage with such an approach is that the modeler needs only one reference, which simplifies things for him and keeps cost down. Finally, there is some variety of types and the markings are usually colorful. All of this adds up to an excellent product.


Highly recommended.


Frank V. De Sisto


Bison products are available at retail and mail order shops. For more information, visit: www.angelfire.com/pro/bison.


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