Exotic Decals 72040 - 1:72 Belgian Buffaloes - Brewster Model 339B in Belgian Service

Belgian Buffaloes – Brewster Model 339B in Belgian service in 1:72 scale

Exotic Decals 72040 is a waterslide decal set for 1:72 models of the Brewster Model 339B fighter, depicting it in the colours of the Belgian military aviation. It is a remarkable subject – Belgium ordered the Brewsters just before the outbreak of war, yet the aircraft never entered front-line service in that country.

What's in the box:

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

Set specifications:

• Scale: 1:72
• Product code: 72040
• Manufacturer: Exotic Decals
• Accessory type: waterslide decals
• For: decals for Brewster Model 339B 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 – Brewster Model 339B in Belgian service:

The Brewster Model 339B is the land-based export version of the American Brewster F2A carrier fighter, later known as the Buffalo. It was stripped of typical naval equipment (including the arrestor hook) and fitted with a Wright Cyclone R-1820-G105 radial engine. Seeking to modernise its fighter force, Belgium signed a contract on 11 December 1939 for the delivery of 40 aircraft of this type.

The course of events, however, undid these plans. The first Belgian Brewster left the Newark factory in April 1940 and was shipped by sea, but with the German attack on the Benelux countries the consignment was diverted to Bordeaux in France, where the aircraft – still crated – fell into German hands. A further six examples were loaded aboard the French carrier Béarn, which was ultimately diverted to Martinique; the aircraft never flew there and were scrapped years later. The remainder of the order was taken over by the British (as the Buffalo Mk.I).

As a result, the Belgian Brewsters never entered operational service, and their colours are known mainly from documentation and a handful of photographs. This makes them an unusual and tempting subject for modellers looking for less obvious schemes.

Specifications (Brewster Model 339B):

• Length: approx. 8.0 m
• Wingspan: approx. 10.7 m
• Height: approx. 3.7 m
• Take-off weight: approx. 2,800 kg
• Crew: 1
• Powerplant: Wright Cyclone R-1820-G105 radial engine, approx. 1,000–1,100 hp
• Maximum speed: approx. 480 km/h
• Service ceiling: approx. 10,000 m
• Range: approx. 1,500 km
• Armament: four machine guns (typical export configuration)

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.