Pheon Decals | 32051: 1/32 Decals for Jasta 17

Reviewed by James Fahey

Background

Over the course of the war Jasta 17 scored 101 aerial victories including fourteen wins over enemy observation balloons. Another 22 of the squadron's claims were unconfirmed. Julius Buckler was the predominant ace of the Jasta (and one of the leading German aces over all) with 35 or 36 victories. He rose through the ranks to receive an officer’s commission, won the Military Merit Cross the most prestigious Pour le Merite. Buckler was probably the only German ace to be wounded seriously enough times to receive the Golden Wound Badge and became the Jasta’s final Staffel leader.

This decal release is largely based on the excellent Jasta 17 Aces book, Osprey Aircraft of the Aces 118 by Greg VanWyngarden, which both Pheon and this reviewer highly recommend.

Other references include Julius Buckler “Malaula” the Battle Cry of Jasta 17, edited by Norman Franks from a translation by Adam M Wait, Grubb Street, 2007;

Above the Lines by Norman Franks, Frank W.Bailey & Russel Guest. Grub Street, 1993; and The Jasta Pilots by Norman Franks, Frank W.Bailey & Rick Duiven, Grub Street, 1996.

A very generous 14 decal options are provided:

1. Albatros D.II (OAW) 933/16, Vzfw Jakob Wolff, Metz-Frescaty, February 1917. At the current time the only kit of an Albatros D.II is by Encore, a reworked version of Roden’s Albatros D.I.

2. Albatros D.III 2033/16 Vzfw Julius Buckler, St.Quentin-le-Petit, April 1917.

3. Albatros D.III (OAW) 1694/17, Ltn Alfred Träger, St.Quentin-le-Petit, June 1917.

4. Albatros D.III serial u/k, Ltn. Gunther Schuster, St.Quentin-le-Petit, June 1917.

5. Albatros D.Va serial u/k, Hptm. Rudolph Freiherr von Esebeck, Douilly (?), March 1918.

6. Albatros D.V 4408/17, Vzfw Georg Strasser, Rethéuil Ferme, Winter 1917/18.

7. Albatros D.V Serial u/k, Oblt Hubertus Freiherr von Rudno-Rudzinski, Wasquehal, October 1917.

8. Albatros D.Va (OAW) serial u/k, Ltn Alfred Fleischer, Ercheu, June 1918. These markings were included in Pheon's earlier set #32036 but in black. As the markings are depicted in the Osprey book in red, so they are in this set.

9. Albatros D.V serial u/k, Ltn Alfred Träger, Wasquehal, September 1918.

10. Albatros D.Va, serial u/k, Ltn Alfred Träger, Rethéuil Ferme, January 1918.

11. Fokker D.VII (Alb), seial u/k, Ltn Alfred Fleischer, Vivaise, late July 1918.

12. Fokker D.VII (Alb), seial and pilot u/k, Vivaise, late July 1918.

13. Fokker D.VII (Alb), seial u/k, Ltn. Gunther Schuster, Vivaise, late July 1918.

14. Pfalz D.XII 1416/18 Pilot u/k, Vivaise September 1918.

Pheon decals are only available directly from the manufacturer.

Website: http://www.pheondecals.com/32051-jasta-17.html

Enquiries to: pheon@pheondecals.com

Shipping costs are additional: http://www.pheondecals.com/shipping.html

Things I liked

Jasta 17 is an excellent of subject for a set of WWI decals, the individual markings are superb, really inspirational, and Pheon’s designs have captured the look perfectly. While some of the markings options are reasonably simple, some are absolutely gorgeous and are crying out to be built.

Four pages of full colour A4 sized profiles showing decal placement. These are beautifully done Notes on individual aircraft and pilots along with commentary on areas of uncertainty and the assumptions made where historical evidence is lacking.

Markings for 5 different aircraft types gives the set greater versatility than single type sets.

Historically accurate fonts for serial numbers (unlike some other after-market decal manufacturers who use modern fonts as a short cut).

Well packed in zip lock bags inside a padded envelope

Things I Didn’t Like

No it's all good.

Conclusion

This is a really great set of decals – colourful, interesting, inspiring, accurate … just what is needed for an after-market set to spice up our modelling lives. Well done Rowan, this release deserves our full support.

Thanks to Pheon Decals for providing the decals for this review.