SPA Modeler

You are doing a great job on that Zip-4 !
To avoid this PITA with old decals, you can use Micro liquid decal film. I never used it but it should do the trick.

I know that you are pretty much done with the wheel wells but here are a few photos. You will see that the hydraulic lines also have some blue & yellow markings on them. This is for the mechanics to indicate the type of line.
main gear well


nose gear

wasabi wrote:You are doing a great job on that Zip-4 !
To avoid this PITA with old decals, you can use Micro liquid decal film. I never used it but it should do the trick.

Wasabi - Thanks!

Stik - I think I can play around with some colours. not too late for that I think. thanks for the pics!

Well Gents.. here is my home brew stencils. black injet printer on clear decal film. pretty straight forward



I made sure I some good reference for it. I used Corel Draw to manipulate the text and AMARILLOUSAF for the fonts



and I made sure too that all the decals were tested first before printing them on the expensive paper.

Nice save on the stencils! I would love to try to make my own decals one day.... I'm happy to hear that the wheel well photos are helpful as well.

What kind of varnish did you use to protect the ink on your homemade decals ?

Hi Wasabi - I have used these to varnishes. The micro scale is a bit quirky. you could only brush it, and it leaves brush marks and a thick coat. Would not recommend it.

the Testor Gloss Coat is what I am using right now. you can thin it with thinner and spray it through your A/B. gives a thin but strong layer. Elasticity is a big question. I have not tried it on complicated curvy surfaces, but it works so far on simple fuselage curves and flat surfaces.

Here is some of the detail work that I am still doing at the end of the project. the Starfighter is now 99% complete and I just need to add the main canopy. The pitot tube is all masking work. The pointy end is Mr. Color Silver brush painted. while the red-white pole is using Tamiya Flat White and Flat Red. This section is 24mm long, so all I needed to get an even stripes is to divide it by seven which means each stripes is approx 3,4mm each.



All the masking has been taken off. The Future-coated clear plastic canopy windows really show off its shine. Last bit is installing the main canopy glass in a open position

That's superb work Monty - I love the detailing around the cockpit.