Maybe I have missed them but I have not seen any methods or discussions on how to make sure your decals are ligned up perfectly on 1/48 W W 2 Aircraft models. For example I can refer to the star & bar and the letters on each side of the fuselage. No matter how carefully i eyeball it the left side of the bar will look a little higher than the right side or visa versa.you get my drift I hope. Is the a good method to line these up??
Teise
I’m afraid you may be on your own there. On the real thing, the tech order will say something like: “The rear edge of the national insignia should begin one-third the distance between front of the vertical tail and no less than 36 inches from the furthest aft point of the cockpit canopy when open.” Or some such unbelievably tortured directions. So you are basically stuck with eyeballing it, using what photos you have, and if you want to get really silly about it, a soft lead pencil and a tiny level.
Wing insignia are easier. They usualy pivot on a panel line or, more often, on the location of the aileron and the leading edge. Look at your drawings and see. Sometime the National insignia will be flush with the leading edge of the aileron and a certain distance from the wingtip. Sometimes, a panel line is the reference point.
If you are really picky about this, there are some sleep-inducing references on just this subject, such as the “Monogram Publishing Guide to USAAS and USAAC Colors and Markings Vol. 1, 1911-1941”. There’s also a four-volume set that applies to Navy planes, too. It’s complete though the 1990s, but the Air Force set is only up through vol. one. They are wonderful books, if a bit expensive.
TOM
Calibrated eyeball is the only method I know. Try & get them as close as you can when viewed from top down.
Regards, Rick
Teise -
If you want authentic, you’re stuck eye-balling the reference photos. Make sure you have photos of both sides. Unless the real thing has the symetry off, for some reason, I like mine as close, side to side, as possible. So I’ll use a panel line, or some readily identifiable reference point. Oh, yeah, I also cheat. I use a mirror, so I can constantly check ons side against the other. Does, it always work, nope, I’ve made my share of goofs, but I usualy get pretty close.
Archer out.
Like everyone else, I use the eyeball method. By carefully aligning and realigning, you can eventually get them to line up.
Eyeball is the method of choice but I often use a small makeup mirror on the opposite side of the plane. I use it to judge where I placed the first decal and try to “mirror” image it.
Thanks to all of you who responded.All the’ tips’ appreciated. Is this a good site for our hobby or what ??!!
Forgot!! I was going to ask what you think about this idea: Use a length of white thread,tape one end to the nose and the other to the vert.stab. and use that as a reference??? I haven’t tried that as yet as i thought of it at work just now.
Teise
TEISE -
I’m with you, I haven’t tried it either. With this stuff there really isn’t a right or wrong, good or bad idea. We all try stuff and see how it works. If it’s great, we try to share it with others, if it’s really bad, we can share that too, as a negitive example.
Archer out.