Preview: Starfighter Decals 72-164 B-10s in USAAC Service

The decals are meant for either the older Williams Brothers kit or the newer Special Hobby kit.  

The Subject

Decal sheet 72-164 by Starfighter Decals has unit markings for 12 aircraft, but only enough common decals for 2 models as there are only the 2 sets of “U.S. Army” markings for underwing, two sets of rudder stripes, and 2 sets of wing walkways. There are national markings for 3. There is a single Olive Drab 22 with Yellow 4 wings, 9 Blue 23 with Yellow 4 wings, and 2 NMF to choose from.

The Markings

1.      YB-10 “200” of the 7^th BG, Hamilton Field, 1935.  Olive Drab 22 and Yellow 4.

2.       B-10B 34-72 “100” of the 7^th BG, Hamilton Field.  Blue 23 and Yellow 4.

3.       B-10B “166” of the 96^th BS, 2^ndBG, Langley Field. Blue 23 and Yellow 4 with Insignia Red cowls.

4.       B-10B “164” of the 31^st BS, 7^thBG, Hamilton Field. Blue 23 and Yellow 4.

5.       B-10B “155” of the 11^th BS, 7^thBG. Blue 23 and Yellow 4 with Chrome Yellow scallops on cowls.

6.       B-10B “20” of the 1^st BS, 9^thBG, Mitchell Field. Blue 23 and Yellow 4 with Red/White/Blue cowls.

7.       B-10B “PA 2” of the 94^th PS, 1^stPG, Selfridge Field. NMF with Insignia Red cowls.

8.       B-10B “PA 168” of the 27^th PS, 1^stPG, Selfridge Field. Blue 23 and Yellow 4 with Chrome Yellow cowls.

9.       B-10B “51 4MB” of the 28^th BS, Clark Field, Philippines.  NMF.

10.   B-10B “75” of the 7^th OS, 6^thCG, France Field, Canal Zone.  Blue 23 and Yellow 4.

11.   B-10B “56” of the 25^th BS, 6^thCG, France Field, Canal Zone. Blue 23 and Yellow 4.

12.   B-10B “44” of the 5^th BS, 9^th, BG, Mitchell Field. Blue 23 and Yellow 4.

Summary

I’ve used Starfighter Decals before and these look no different, being quite thin and laying down well under just warm water. Rarely do I have to use a setting solution. Many of the markings are subtly different, the yellows and blues being a little different between individual subjects to obviously reflect the variations Mark has found in his research. Mark even provides varying sizes of aircraft numbers for some subjects. I’m looking forward to finally getting to my B-10 kits. This sheet is a good motivator.