Scale Plastic & Rail

1:35 German Disc Camouflage System from Uschi van der Rosten/AK Interactive

1:35 German Disc Camouflage System
Uschi van der Rosten/AK Interactive
Catalogue #'s: Check inventory for price and catalogue number

If you are a modeller of German WW2 armour, you'll know that the large array of different schemes which were applied to vehicles of that era can be taxing when it comes to creating them in miniature. One such camouflage was the Licht und Schatten Tarnung (Light and Shade camouflage) 'disc style' pattern. Now, thanks to the products which Uschi van der Rosten have sent to SP&R, you can tackle this most interesting and complicated scheme with relative ease. Before I begin, you will see that there are two variations on this product. The first one is the original set from Uschi (DPC-35) and also a small packet of extra disc masks (ED-35). The second set is licenced to AK Interactive, and is presents a slight variation of this set, complete with a small photo etch mark for touching up or applying to small areas.

A note given on both Uschi and AK Interactive sets states that the style of disc camo is associated with that applied by MAN and MNH companies for the Panther G, mid-end 1944. A pictorial tutorial is also given at the Uschi can der Rosten website. Click HERE to access it.

First of all, I want to show you this video which will give you a good brief on this product before I summarise what is in each packet, and show you the photographs. This video shows different ways of working with this product and is certainly well put together. Sit back for 15 minutes and watch this!

Disc Camouflage, # DPC-35, Uschi van der Rosten (14,99€)

Presented in a clear zip-lock wallet, this set is beautifully illustrated with colour photographs from the Uschi online tutorial, including paragraphs which explain each picture. Uschi's explanations are very clear and should leave the modeller with no question as to the best way to use this set. The back of the instructions has a product description and explanation.

Inside the packet, one sheet of vinyl masking material is included, measuring approximately 140mm x 110mm. The material is also translucent, making it easier to position the mark before you squirt some paint at the model. This sheet contains 5 rows of identically patterned mask, 21mm wide, and beautifully cut. The glossy backing sheet allows you to stick the masks back down for further use, although you will of course have a reduced adhesiveness with repeated use. Pulling back the mask strip itself will leave a few 'corners' still attached between the discs, but these just want pushing out as they are still wholly cut. It must just be static or surface tension holding them in place.

Extra Discs for DPC-35, # ED-35, Uschi van der Rosten (5,00€)

This diminutive set is also packed into a zip-lock bag and contains a small sheet measuring 85mm x 45mm, with three rows of individual discs which make up the pattern of the DPC-35 set. These allow the modeller to stick the individual discs to complicated areas with unusual or tight access, and to create the same camo pattern. The single discs can then be removed from the model and re-used for future projects. A small sheet is included giving an explanation as to the reasoning for set, but with no instructions. The latter isn't necessary, as everything is very self-explanatory.

German Disc Camouflage, # AK157, AK Interactive, (15,95€)

Uschi have licenced their product to AK Interactive, who have included both the camo pattern strip and also the individual discs too. Presented in a zip-lock bag with an attractive, colourful insert with the same sort of instruction as the Uschi set, a single vinyl mask sheet is included.

The mask sheet measures approximately 140mm x 90mm, and contains three rows of camouflage pattern strip, each again being 21mm wide. A fourth strip contains the individual discs, exactly as the Uschi 'extra discs' set. The quality of these is commensurate with the Uschi sets, being that they are perfectly cut, and also need a little help with pushing the unwanted 'corners' from between the discs.

Where this set differs a little is with the inclusion of a small etch fret with the disc camo pattern etched in. This fret measures 30mm x 25mm and is designed to help the modellers touch up small areas of a model instead of having to use the mask set, thus saving you cutting up the main strips into smaller pieces. This is a very nice touch!

So what do we think?
This is an excellent solution to an otherwise difficult to apply scheme. I think all sets are reasonably priced, including the extra disc set, and the quality of mask production is superb. These sets are touted as for the Panther, but I've included an image, taken from the Uschi website, showing the camouflage applied to a Jagdpanzer. Perhaps we will see extra variations on this style of camouflage mask as time goes by. Yes again, more innovation from Uschi!

Very highly recommended.

Our sincere thanks to Uschi van der Rosten for the review samples used here. To purchase this directly, click THIS link.

James H.

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