Exotic Decals 32025 - 1:32 Italian Gustavs over Sicily #1 - Bf 109G in Regia Aeronautica - Part 1

Italian Gustavs over Sicily #1 – Messerschmitt Bf 109G in the Regia Aeronautica (Part 1) in 1:32 scale

Exotic Decals 32025 is a waterslide decal set for 1:32 models of the Messerschmitt Bf 109G fighter, depicting aircraft in the colours of the Italian Regia Aeronautica during the fighting over Sicily in 1943. This is the first part of a release devoted to the Italian Bf 109Gs.

What's in the box:

• Waterslide decal sheet with markings
• Illustrated painting and marking placement guide (aircraft profile views)

Set specifications:

• Scale: 1:32
• Product code: 32025
• Manufacturer: Exotic Decals
• Accessory type: waterslide decals
• For: decals for Messerschmitt Bf 109G aircraft models
• Material: waterslide decal sheet

Waterslide decals – schemes not offered in the box

Decals let you reproduce the national insignia, tactical numbers, unit emblems and stencilling of a chosen aircraft on your model. Decal makers usually focus on schemes and versions that are not included as standard with plastic kits, so you can build a specific, historically documented airframe or a less common operator.

These are waterslide decals, transferred onto the model after soaking in water. A common, recommended approach is to apply them over a gloss coat, which prevents decal silvering, and then to seal everything with a matt or satin coat depending on the finish you want. Decal setting solutions can help the carrier film conform to surface detail.

The decals are intended for models in the stated scale. As kits of the same aircraft from different manufacturers may differ slightly in dimensions and panel layout, it is worth checking that the markings fit your particular kit before purchase.

About the aircraft – Messerschmitt Bf 109G in the Regia Aeronautica:

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 is a German single-seat fighter and one of the most heavily produced combat aircraft in history. The G variant, nicknamed "Gustav" by its crews, was the most widely used member of the family, powered by the Daimler-Benz DB 605 engine. In the spring of 1943 the Italian Regia Aeronautica began re-equipping some of its fighter units with the Bf 109G to face the growing Allied air superiority over the Mediterranean.

The first unit to convert was 150° Gruppo Caccia, commanded by Maggiore Antonio Vizzotto and comprising the 363ª, 364ª and 365ª Squadriglia. The Italian Bf 109Gs operated from Sicilian airfields such as Sciacca and Santo Pietro during the Allied Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily in July 1943. Despite the commitment and bravery of the pilots, the mounting Allied superiority and the short conversion time left this episode a relatively small but interesting chapter in the history of the Bf 109.

Specifications (Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6):

• Length: approx. 8.95 m
• Wingspan: approx. 9.92 m
• Height: approx. 2.60 m
• Take-off weight: approx. 3,150 kg
• Crew: 1
• Powerplant: Daimler-Benz DB 605A inline engine, approx. 1,475 hp
• Maximum speed: approx. 640 km/h
• Service ceiling: approx. 12,000 m
• Range: approx. 850 km
• Armament: one 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon firing through the propeller hub and two 13 mm MG 131 machine guns above the engine (optional underwing gondola cannon)

About the manufacturer – Exotic Decals:

Exotic Decals is a Polish aircraft decal brand associated with Toro Model (Tomasz Mankowski) of Konstancin-Jeziorna, Poland. Its range focuses on less obvious subjects: the colours of the Belgian, Romanian, Croatian and Italian air arms, as well as captured aircraft evaluated by the enemy. Many sets cover specific, historically documented airframes.

The decals are issued in the popular aircraft scales 1:72 and 1:48, with some subjects also available in 1:32. Each set comes with a painting guide featuring aircraft profiles to help position the markings on the model.