I have a couple kits which call for decals for the D-Day invasion stripes…my impulse is to toss them and paint the stripes. Does anyone else have a preference for painted vs. decalled stripes?
I personally have never been too fond of white decals. If it’s a light colored a/c, the decal might be ok, but if there is a camo pattern under the stripes, I would suggest painting them. It might take longer to paint the stripes, but I find it’s better quality and much more rewarding.
Joshua
See
http://www.finescale.com/FSM/CS/forums/554238/ShowPost.aspx
Actually I shouldn’t complain too badly. The decals did finally decide not to fight me tooth and nail, and eventually all was well, but I will paint them next time!
Thanks, Bgrigg! Sounds like I’ll be painting those stripes on.
While we’re on the subject, in that post there was a reference to checkerboard patterns…anybody try painting these?
I’ve tried my hand at both and have been satisfied at the results obtained with both methods. The decal method is much quicker, but sometimes the white does seem a bit transluscent. I used a combo of both for P-47 in Gabreski’s markings as his P-47 had peculiar fuselage stripes. But many aircraft, C-47s in particular had rushed jobs done and the resulting sloppiness would best be duplicated by painting. Check your references and go from there.
Did you base coat with a white background?
…come to think about it, if you need to mask off a white background, you might as well paint the whole thing anyway.
after a recent experience with decals → paint. You’ll thank yourself in the morning.
Also remember, most invasion stripes were applied within 24 hours with what was ever available,
don’t worry about perfection.
Yeah, I’ve seen pictures of people applying them with rollers and paintbrushes.
But where can you buy 1:48 & 1:72 scale paint rollers? [:P] [:o)]
You are a modeller, silly. You make them out of bent lamp cord wire and cosmetic sponges. For brushes, carve little pieces of resin into handles and glue very fine human hair to it[:D]
Yeah I saw something on this recently, evidently worrying about size, width and straight lines werent a concern. They all varied, and looked different, so if you decide to mask and paint the sky’s the limit!
Painting is the way to go, if a hack like me can do it anyone can. Wether you want to slop them on to replicate a hastliy done job with a mop which is closer to reality or to take your time and and mask them off and use a airbrush and paint them to perfection it really isnt that hard. I believe youll be much happy with the rersults if you ditch the decals. I also paint theater bands and any other stripes as well rather then use supplied decals. Now if I could just get a reusable mask for U.S. insignias that would be awesome.
Here’s my $0.02…and my 1/48 P-51D, I masked and painted. Not too bad, it just takes a bit of time, patience, and an iron butt.
For 1/48 scale, 3/8" was the width I used on that Mustang. It would be slightly different for larger aircraft (with different size stripes).