Modern Aircraft Decals

pmskaar · Post by **pmskaar** » Sun Jan 15, 2017 7:19 am

Does anyone out there know of a source of decals for modern U.S. aircraft? I am mainly interested in the low visibility stars and bars that are currently used on American aircraft but also interested in tail markings as well. I have some "low-vis" stars but they are an earlier type from I-94.

I need these for at least 1 aircraft I am doing for the GHQ catalog. I really don't care to try to make my own but am willing to pay a reasonable amount to get some.

Feel free to contact me privately if you prefer or let me know via the forum.

Thanks very much!

Pete

piersyf · Post by **piersyf** » Sun Jan 15, 2017 11:50 am

Can I ask what you don't like about the low viz stars and bars from I-94?

I've been meaning to get in touch with alphaco (deck decals) about collaborating on aircraft decals. It'd be helpful to know the 'problem' up front if we're to collaborate on a better product.

Here's the sample artwork I posted earlier that alphaco said he could do about 2/3's of. I need to PM him and find out which 2/3rds!

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pmskaar · Post by **pmskaar** » Sun Jan 15, 2017 11:19 pm

Hi Piersyf

There is nothing wrong with the I-94 decals except they are not the right ones. The new low-vis decals are basically all white or maybe a very pale gray outline type. If you check out a photo of an F-35 you can see it. The F-16s are also using a similar type these days.

Pete

alphaco · Post by **alphaco** » Mon Jan 16, 2017 12:21 am

You mean like this?

pmskaar · Post by **pmskaar** » Mon Jan 16, 2017 6:29 am

Hi Alphaco

Those look like the ones I need.

Pete

piersyf · Post by **piersyf** » Mon Jan 16, 2017 10:27 am

If you're interested, send me a photo of the aircraft (real one) and the length of the model (as accurately as you can measure) and I'll see how much of a full set of markings I can do up. I'll bounce them off Alphaco and see what can be done.

I designed my decals to be accurate for aircraft type and squadron, as well as scaled to the model (not just 1:300 or 1:285, I measured the models and adjusted to those proportions)

BattlerBritain · Post by **BattlerBritain** » Mon Jan 16, 2017 4:14 pm

Also there's a guy called Dom who makes decals in the UK.

He does a sheet of US Low Vis markings in 1/300 and in 1/600.

I can't give a link from this GHQ forum but if you Google 'Doms decals' you'll find it.

Hope this helps,

B

pmskaar · Post by **pmskaar** » Mon Jan 16, 2017 10:10 pm

Hi Battler

Thanks very much. I may check out Dom's site.

Pete

Hoth_902 · Post by **Hoth_902** » Mon Jan 16, 2017 11:28 pm

A friend and I have both used some decals and they work good....The only thing I would recommend is a clear coat over top to seal them...I am sure that is probably an obvious step, but thought I would throw it out there anyway.

BattlerBritain · Post by **BattlerBritain** » Mon Jan 16, 2017 11:42 pm

Yes and if you use Dom's decals use an Acrylic based varnish, not an oil based one (eg Humbrol varnish), otherwise the decals will disintegrate as soon as you try varnishing them.

Acrylic varnishes are easier to obtain anyway, eg from artists shops.

RedDragon · Post by **RedDragon** » Tue Jan 17, 2017 8:31 pm

BattlerBritain wrote:Yes and if you use Dom's decals use an Acrylic based varnish, not an oil based one (eg Humbrol varnish), otherwise the decals will disintegrate as soon as you try varnishing them.

Acrylic varnishes are easier to obtain anyway, eg from artists shops.

Must be nice to have lots of artists around to steal modelling supplies from...

pmskaar · Post by **pmskaar** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 3:32 am

After looking over what is currently available, I think I will give Dom's a try. I need to get something fairly soon and these look like they might work.

I appreciate all the responses from everyone and the e-mail response from Dan at Alphaco. This helps.

Thanks, Pete