Product Review: 1/35 scale British Tanks in the Desert Decal Sheets Sheet 35092, British Tanks in the Desert Sheet #1(Stuart Mark 1, Matilda Mark II, Crusader Mark I, and Valentine Mark II) Sheet 35094, British Tanks in the Desert Sheet #3 (Daimler Dingo Mark I (2), Matilda Mark III, Churchill Mark III) Quarter Master's Depot, 1071 Ambleside Drive, Suite 1111, Ottawa, Ontario K2B 6V4, Canada
Advantages: nice, new sheets for older model kits provide a nice change and variety; appear more complete that those provided in kits; four-view placement sheets in color the best presentation for this sort of markings
Disadvantages: may not indicate if kit is "out of the box" or requires any modifications to match the time and place these markings were in effect
Rating: Highly Recommended
Recommendation: to early war Commonwealth armour fans
Quartermaster's Depot continues its very nice line of decal sheets for Commonwealth subjects, and these two are typical of the current crop. Each one comes with two 11 x 14 pages of instructions, including a very good four-view of the subject in color with the markings in place. This is by far and away the very best way to present decals and markings, and QD should be complimented on it. Aircraft modelers have had this level of detail for many years, and it is about time someone began to provide it to the armor community with waterslide markings.
The directions call for what many of us use as "standard procedure:" coat the model with a gloss coat (e.g. Future in the US), cut the markings apart close to the subjects as the sheets are one big sheet and not separate subjects, apply, use a setting agent, and then top-coat with a flat varnish or coating to hide them and kill the shine.
Overall the subjects appear to be well-chosen and attractive, and the quality is very good. The only thing missing is whether or not the kits need any modifications to match the examples provided, and there are several comments elsewhere on the internet about this. All QD needs to do is provide a sentence or two that would help (e.g. "Leave off sandshields" or "add extra fuel tanks and side racks") the modeler to match the subject at hand.
Thanks to Quartermaster's Depot for the review sheets.
Cookie Sewell