SPA Modeler

I hate invasion stripes decals. This kit only comes with black stripes that are spaced out more than standard D-Day stripes. Here's the plan...

I came up with a better idea on painting my own stripes. I used decal stripes (there is no white decal invasion stripes) and placed them as shown on instruction guide. Did not clear gloss coat anything yet, laid down the black stripes and let dry. No Micro Sol or Micro Set on decals...

Tomorrow, I will start masking for the black stripes around the decals. Then... I'm going to pull the decals off with tape and paint my black stripes. Off white will be painted afterwards between the stripes.

Where I am now...

Gear doors




Wings stripes

The key difference between the invasion stripes and the earlier ID stripes is that the ID stripes were painted with plenty of time and done quite neatly. The invasion stripes were done hurriedly and quite often were not so neat.

I had wondered if they were done neatly as opposed to been done hurriedly for D-Day.

This is a topic of great interest because it falls into the category of it can't really be perfect, only to a partial degree of neatness, or perhaps to a lesser degree of exactness. D-Day or Invasion, these (please correct me if I'm wrong here) are hand painted. The D-Day stripes were done very loosely. I'm assuming these are the more precise stripes. Is this correct or not?



This is one situation where I feel masking tape and a loose brush of acrylic paint could be very useful. I know this is a Thunderbolt but I believe this was the standard:



I am preparing to be corrected for my mistakes here, but I am enjoying your project very much! Cheers!

Yes, the Typhoon ID stripes were quite neat. I don’t know if they were applied at the factory, at a depot prior to issue to operational squadrons, or at the receiving squadrons. But they were not done in the hurried fashion of the invasion stripes. The standard for the invasion stripes is that there was a specified size for single engine aircraft, and another for multi engine aircraft. The only aircraft that participated in the invasion and were not marked with the stripes were the heavy bombers of the US 8th Air Force. Some RAF heavies carried the stripes, but some did not.

Invasion stripes painted! Already gloss clearcoated and ready fordecal sessions tonight and tomorrow.





Yes, they are suppose to be that far apart.

Decals are on! Next... the final assembly steps.

You’re getting close to the finish line now Tom. Looking good!