introduction

Archer Fine Transfers sort of sets the bar for dry transfers. I don't mean to imply that other DTs aren't well-done, but Archer has a range of product that few other marking companies can come close to.

Yet, Archer's dry transfers are too expensive for some modelers. You can drop the price of a kit on a couple of sets of markings, so in an effort to accommodate hobbyists on a budget, Archer began bundling markings into vehicle sets, then started working with Cartograf to release sets of conventional decals at a more-affordable price point. The focus has either been on one topic (e.g., Panther & Tiger marking sets), or a wide range of items (e.g., ammo box stencils) with a little bit of many things.

One set that modelers of British armor should appreciate is that one featuring Compo box stencils, "biscuit" tin labels (i.e., "cookie" to those who speak proper, American English), along with 105mm ammo boxes.

the decals

Inside the usual Archer glassine envelope is a 3 1/2" x 4 1/2" sheet of black stencils for:

10 105mm HE crates
10 105mm smoke round crate stencils
16 British "biscuit" tin stencils in two styles
12 Compo boxes

the review

"Compo" boxes were made of wood and were designed to feed up to 14 soldiers for a day. This article has a complete list of the kinds of rations inside, including tinned foods and cigarettes (even soldiers who didn't smoke liked "ciggies" for trading purposes).

The decals are printed by Cartograf, so you know the quality is excellent.

The photos at right show the decals used on some resin stowage sets by Resicast. The Compo box labels are very light blue, so I would recommend a pale, almost off-white base color instead of the wood color I used. The cookie tin labels will jump out over the purplish-gray recommended by the Archer instructions & painting guide.

conclusion

Given the amount of excellent "stowage" resin sets coming on the market from Resicast and Value Gear, I would have liked the set to have more victuals and fewer ammo stencils, but I applaud Archer for giving modelers sets like this one.

Thanks to Archer Fine Transfers for this review sample. Be sure to mention you saw the review here on Armorama when ordering.