1/48 Tempest markings

I’m building the old AMT 1/48 Tempest Mk.V kit, I love the look of this big brute. I know the Eduard kit is available out there, and a better kit, but this one is already in the stash. I’ll be using aftermarket & scratch built details to spruce it up, but I need decals for it.

I want to complete it as Tempest Mk.V EJ558 / SD-R flown by Flt Off. B.F. Miller (USAAF) with No. 501 (County of Gloucester) Sqn . Does anyone out there know if aftermarket decals are available for this particular aircraft? I know that the Eduard kit was released with these markings, perhaps someone out there has spares they would care to part with?

I usually build WWII US aircraft, & don’t have very many RAF markings in the stash. If someone out there who is more knowledgeable on RAF aircraft could tell me the actual size of the s/n lettering, squadron codes, roundels, & tail flash, I could probably piece together the markings from generic aftermarket sheets, or just airbrush all of the markings.

Any help would be greatly appreciated…JB

Serial nos - black 8" high (1/6" or 4.25mm in 1/48) don’t worry about fonts, just plain and simple.

Codes Sky 24" ( .5" or 12.5mm in 1/48) same rule applies.

Upper wing roundels 50" blue, 20" red.

Under wing roundels 32" blue, 16" white, 12" red.

Fuselage roundel same as under wing + 2" wide yellow surround.

Fin flash 24" tall, red 11" wide, white 2" wide, blue 11" wide.

Hannant’s do generic sheets of roundels and fin flashes, which should give most of what you need.

If you have the time and patience to wait, Maketar (google Maketar shop) does die cut vinyl paint masks in 1/48 for various nationalities, including the RAF. You can purchase sheets of roundel masks, code letters and fin flashes. I normally find (shipping to Canada) the delivery takes 10 to 18 days. Then you get to paint in your own, which allows you to shade and weather as you like.

I built the Eduard kit but I can’t find the leftover decals, sorry…

Edit: Looked in another place and found the remains. The serials B509, SM471, and ML407 are on it, not what you are looking for. I actually built mine as Roland Beamont’s airplane so all I used were the roundels and such.

Hey guys…

Thanks for responding. I found insignias & squadron code decals online, made serial #'s on computer w/ clear decal paper.

Edgar… thanks for the info on marking sizes & colors. The squadron codes & prop spinner on this aircraft appear to be white in all the photos I have of it. The Osprey book "American Night Fighter Aces of WWII " has a color illustration showing the codes in white, this is how I’ll complete it.

As I mentioned, this is the old AMT kit, not as detailed as current kits but has some nice, very fine raised panel lines. I’m looking forward to the challenge of detailing it up, & it should look pretty good w/ scratch built & aftermarket parts I plan to use…JB