AMT Man in Space 1/200 Rocket Set: Decals or Paint?

Modeling Subjects Space
1

Hello everyone! I am relatively new model building, and I seek the opinion of the more experienced populous. I just bought the AMT Man in Space 1/200 rocket set and I don’t know whether I should use decals or paint on my rockets. I am no good at painting anything, but the decals I was looking at seemed a bit pricey, $25 for Tango Papa decals and $18 for Indycals. I want the set to turn out really well, but I don’t know which method would look best. If i’m correct, the Tango Papa set requires no painting at all. That seems like a good setup, but I don’t know if some stickers are worth the money. Your feedback please!

2

It will take forever to get decals from PapaTango. Plus his Alps printer is going bad and he’s getting the dreaded ribbon misalignment lines starting to show. Not to rip the guy but my 2 experiences with him were quite frustrating. I think he’s an airline pilot or something. When he’s around, great. When he’s not around, not so great, which seems to be most of the time.

I’d recommend paint and other decals.

Chris

3

Practice is the key to painting. I think for that subject, rattle cans would be the way to go if you don’t have an airbrush. You could buy a cheap piece of plastic water pipe, cut it into sections and paint four or five lengths. Prime the plastic first. There are several nice aluminum colors available in spray cans. Blacks and other colors are easy to find.

4

I’ve got that kit built, back in the box, no paint or decals yet. Trying to decide “how much” I want to do.

5

would it be more efficient to build the rockets prior to painting and / or adding decals?

6

Painting should probably be done at an intermediate point, when main structure is done but before any small details added. Decaling can probably wait till after final assembly.

7

You might want to make decals with an ink-jet printer, decal paper and clear spray paint… Most of the black markings are just rectangles. Masking for painting can get complicated over the “coorogated” panels on the Saturns.

8

I have that kit but haven’t built it. Does your kit not have decals? Mine does.