Hi all - I’m picking up modeling again since I left it in my teenage years, and I’m impressed to see all the advancements that have taken place, especially with the detail of the models you can purchase.
I have a question though regarding decals. Example: I wish to build a F-16 model from my local ANG squadron, but I’m sure the box won’t contain the specific graphics for my squadron. Are their after-market locations where I can buy decal sheets where there is a large selection a squadron graphics (if so, please specify), or better yet, with the advent of high-res ink jet technology, is it possible create your own decal on an ink-jet printer?
I think when all is said and done, I’ll want to model the following tailcode/squadrons:
CO (Colorado ANG)
VA (Virginia ANG)
HL (Hill AFB 4th Sqd)
MO (Mountain Home AFB 389th FTR Sq)
Also, can you clarify what you meant by “You can also check w/Super Scale and TwoBobs decals because they make some VERY cool 16 markings.” I’m not clear on these people (?) are.
Hey Snacko, Super Scale and Twobobs are companies that produce “After Market” decals(other than the decals you get in the kit).
These companies who produce “after market” declas do a lot more research into the decals than the model co’s. They are highly detailed and you have a variety a/c, variants to choice from as well as fighter sqd’s, fighter grps(USAF, Navy, Marines and the Army). Make sense??
VA ANG 149th FS, 192nd FG. decal 48-013 This particular 16 was painted to commemorate the last ever reunion of the 352nd Fighter Group.(aka Bluenosed Bastards of Bodney) This Falcon was done up as “Cripes A Mighty” which was a P-51 from WWII
As for the Colorado bird you will have to purchase decal TMOTA - 001 (Tiger Meet of The Americas) 8-13 Aug 2001 Buckley AFB Co. “Cougars” 120th FS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Made by Super Scale
HL(Hill AFB) 421TFS decal #48-406.
Decal #48-297 is also one of the 421TFS F-16’s
With these Numbers that I gave you, go to your closest hobby shop and see if they have them in stock. If not the ones from twobobs,you can go on their site which I gave above. As for Super Scale decals off hand cant remember their site. If you have any questions or problems finding these decals please feel free to email me at Falcon42177@yahoo.com If you have a hard time finding these decals, I’ll help ya out k…!!
Hopefully I helped ya out and not confused ya[:p] Just give me a holla if ya need to.
Flaps up,MIke
I recommend Mike Grant Decals if you want to model a specific aircraft. His website is: www.mikegrantdesign.com/decals/ He can create decals from photographs or your art work. He did a fantastic job on the decals for my uncle’s B-24, “The Chambermaid”.
You can also get aftermarket decals at Squadron Shop (www.squadron.com) and the VERY good Cutting Edge brand thru Meteor Production (www.meteorprod.com).
Micro Mark (dot com) sells inkjet decal paper so you CAN make your own on your home printer. Be warned that inkjet ink is transparent, so they really only work on a white paint job, or if you carefully paint a white shape to put the decals on.
A better bet is to find an Alps 5000 printer (now out of production), which prints with opaque wax ribbons and make astonishingly good decals. There are aftermarket garage decal makers like Tango Papa and JTGraphics who make sci fi decals for sale from their bedrooms.
Check out Bare-Metal Foil. At one time they had about a dozen different Air Guard schemes for F-16’s and KC-135’s. Check under their Experts Choice brand. They are currently showing an F-16C of the Virginia AFNG 328 FS painted like Preddy’s P-=51
Check out on line auction sites such as e-bay. Different people, some hobby shops, are trying to sell a variety of after-market items, including decals. Be patient and you will find quite a few items from different manufacturers.
