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In-Box Review
135
M1 Helmet Markings
Miscellaneous M1 Helmet Markings
  • Archer-decals-_3-008

by: Randy L Harvey [ HARV ]

Introduction
This 2007 release by Archer Fine Transfers is a set of miscellaneous M1 helmet markings for the 101st Airborne as well as U.S. Navy and American Red Cross during World War II. This set provides enough transfers for several figures in each type depending on your needs.

review
When I received the set I checked with several books and web sites to determine the accuracy of the set. Everything that I checked showed that Archer is right on the mark with this set and the transfers represent all combat units of the 101st Airborne during World War II. Also represented are the 327th Glider Infantry Regiment, the 501st, 502nd, and 506th Parachute Infantry Regiments, the 321st and 907th Glider Field Artillery Battalions, the 377th and 463rd Parachute Field Artillery Battalions, the H.Q. Divisional Artillery, the 81st A.A.A. Battalion, the 101st Divisional Reconnaissance Platoon, the 326th Engineer Battalion, the 101st Divisional Signal Company, the 426th QMC Company, the 801st Ordinance Company and the 326th Medic Company. This provides a wide range of applications in a single set.

The quality of this set is what I would consider very high. For their size, they are very clear and crisp in detail and are printed very well with no bleeding of colors. They are very thin and adhere nicely. didn't use all of the transfers, only a few. As a first time user, I was impressed at the ease of use of the transfers. You just place then where you want to apply them and rub them with a blunt instrument. Due to the small size, I used a round toothpick and it worked fine. They came off of the carrier sheet very nicely and without any effort. The user just needs to make sure that the transfer is placed where you want it to be since, as a dry transfer, once they are in place they can't be moved.

The transfers come packaged in paper and are contained in a plastic bag. On the back of the paper insert are representations of all of the 101st Airborne combat units and identifying information for each unit. There is also the American Red Cross symbol and the identifying information for it as well as information for the number strings used by medics. There were two things that I found as a problem with the instructions and packaging, the first was the lack of instructions on the package warning not to touch the transfers with bare fingers. As a first time user, I had two of the transfers stick to my finger as I was examining the set! The second was the lack of instructions for the application of the transfers. I had to go to the Archer Fine Transfers web site to obtain instructions.

All in all this is a very nice set and I look forward to using other sets from this company.
SUMMARY
Highs: A nice accurate set that is easy to use for first time users. A time saver as opposed to painting the symbols by hand.
Lows: Lack of application instructions and no warning label for proper handling.
Verdict: A fine set making it very easy to represent members of the 101st Airborne, U.S. Navy and American Red Cross. High quality and ease of use make this a worthwhile set.
Percentage Rating
90%
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: 35055
  Suggested Retail: $8.95
  PUBLISHED: Jan 17, 2008
  NATIONALITY: United States
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 91.62%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 91.53%

Our Thanks to Archer Fine Transfers!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Randy L Harvey (HARV)
FROM: WYOMING, UNITED STATES

I have been in the modeling hobby off and on since my youth. I build mostly 1/35 scale. However I work in other scales for aircraft, ships and the occasional civilian car kit. I also kit bash and scratch-build when the mood strikes. I mainly model WWI and WWII figures, armor, vehic...

Copyright ©2021 text by Randy L Harvey [ HARV ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

I should add a quick note. The reason that there are some missing transfers on the sheet in the picture is that some of them stuck to my fingers and I had used some of them. My original picture did not work and I had already used the sheet before I did the retakes. So the sheet was full to start with, not how it appears in the picture. You can go to the Archer Fine Transfers web site and see a picture of the whole sheet. Thanks, HARV
JAN 17, 2008 - 05:53 AM
   
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