SPA Modeler

Ok, I'm calling this one done. Not all the decals fit as they should (operator error? Nah) and if I keep fiddling with it, who knows what will fall off!
WIP is here

http://spamodeler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=849

The actual plane is hanging in the Smithsonian. I'm happy enough with this build. Probably better than the last one and hopefully not as good as the next one!

In this picture, notice the piece on the boarding door. That is a kit provided decal - white is quite evident.





Nose decals screwed up. Had to scab the kit decal for this one because of the white lettering. It did break and when I got it "in place as much as I could. I left it.



The large rudder pieces went on without a hitch.









The "home made" decals worked ok, I guess. Not as thick as the kit decals, so they did not mix together very well. I tried to use the original kit sheet a few times and they just disintegrated, even after a couple coats of bonder. The other sheet I used to scan, worked ok, but was so yellow and silvered so much I gave up and used the ones I made. The lack of a white is noticeable, but I can live with it. they laid down very nicely and are quite clear where they need to be.

Very nice. What decal paper did you use? I know testors does a white decal paper. I think i have their clear paper somewhere (Last time i saw it, it was in the book case next to my desk in the old house)
Fantastic save on those decals, and the polished aluminium looks great.

Very nice looking DC-3, the metallic finish looks really smooth and.. metallic! :-)

And about the door, hey, it could be a replacement door, making it a little bit more unique! :-)

- Kari

Looks great Lyle!!!

LyleW wrote: I'm happy enough with this build. Probably better than the last one and hopefully not as good as the next one!

Perfect words!!!

Mike, thanks. The NMF is Krylon Chrome - right from the rattle can. Goes on great. The "slightly weathered" look is from handlng. The paper is from http://www.world-paper.com - I got mine off of eBay. This was the clear.

Kari - many thanks. I'm glad you like it. I think I primed it but I could not tell you with what! This stuff is pretty nice. I like your story about the door, too. I'll go with that. Now to figure out how to make something like white print from a laser.

Jim, The Smithsonian called and wants this one, something about a C-4 experiment? The decals really printed exactly as the kit sheet, color was good and all that. They are just thinner and I guess more translucent with the laser output. They would scratch, too, if handled too roughly, but they were pretty tough.

Fermis, thank you sir! I've decided to just build the damn thing and not worry about it. Better skill will come with practice! ....or is that better pizza?

A very nice finish, Lyle

Thanks, Paul. I enjoyed this one. Have several more in the stash!