1-300 German WWI Iron Cross Style #2 Decals
These 1-300 German WWI Iron Cross Style #2 decals reproduce the aircraft identification markings represented by this sheet for use on 1-300 scale aircraft miniatures. They are intended for historically appropriate aircraft, units, and periods associated with the marking.
Decal Information
The sheet includes German WWI Iron Cross Style #2 markings suitable for use on 1-300 scale aircraft miniatures.
They are printed on clear-background waterslide decal paper. They need to be individually cut out. Apply over a properly prepared and gloss-coated model surface using normal waterslide-decal techniques.
Key Historical Details
Region / Nation: German Service: German Military Aviation Time Period: World War I Primary Marking: Aircraft Numbers / Identification Codes Scale: 1-300 Application: Historically appropriate aircraft and aviation subjects
Historical Information
These 1/300 German WWI Iron Cross Style #2 decals reproduce another common variation of the Imperial German cross pattée, the aircraft national marking widely referred to as the German “Iron Cross.” This style is intended for models where period photographs show proportions differing from the earlier Style #1 form.
German military aircraft adopted the black cross pattée as a national identification marking during the opening period of World War I. Crosses appeared on the wings and were also commonly carried on the fuselage and tail. Because early instructions did not produce one absolutely uniform appearance across every aircraft, the width of the arms, center section, surrounding white field, and overall proportions varied significantly.
During the middle years of the war, the presentation of the cross evolved. Large white fields seen on many early aircraft were increasingly reduced, while contrasting white borders became common on later applications. These changes produced the many cross pattée variations visible in wartime photographs. In mid-April 1918, this family of markings began to be replaced by the straight-sided Balkenkreuz.
Style #2 can be used on many Imperial German fighters, reconnaissance aircraft, and bombers of the pre-April 1918 period, including Albatros, Pfalz, Fokker, Roland, DFW, Gotha, and related German aircraft when the proportions match the specific aircraft being modeled.
Because Imperial German aircraft crosses varied by date, factory, unit, and repainting, use photographs of the individual aircraft whenever possible when choosing between Style #1, Style #2, and the other Iron Cross variants in this range.
