So I was in my LHS today browsing through the kits that are local products here in the Czech Republic and a headache and a half to get my mitts on back in Canada and I found a real goody today.
Its a 1/48 scale Letov L-107 “Lunak” sport glider. Its not so much the specific aircraft that caught my eye, more the fact that in general, when was the last time you saw a scale model of a glider?
Anyway, I’m guessing the kit is from the late 70s or early 80s judging by the moldings. The moldings are crisp with no flash, but have raised panel lines and the canopy has a few blemishes that I’ll have to live with.
The kit is made by a Czech outfit called Modela, I’d never heard of them till now.
The kit has a nice stand that comes with a bottom plate so you can put some ballast onto it if needed, theres also a nice steel post for mounting the glider onto the stand.
There’s three decal options, two Czech ones including the second prototype glider from the early 50s and a Hungarian example.
The only drawback I can see is with the decals, and I don’t know how much of a drawback it might be in reality. The decals are somewhat yellowed, but the paintscemes for all three options are largely trainer yellow anyway. Do any of you think I’ll need to worry about the yellowed decals or will the yellow just disapear into the yellow colour of the glider?
What an unusual find!! I think I’d get one too, if only due to the unique subject matter! [:)]
My biggest fear with old decals is not the yellowing, but their propensity to shred when you try to separate them from the paper, which is why I’ll spray a light coat of glossy spray paint over them, and let cure, before attempting an application.
If white colors are tinted yellow from age, I haven’t a clue, besides just masking & painting on the colors. Maybe they’ll be others with a cure to this, and if so, I’d be interested in the solution as well! [:)]
Never heard of the Company or the kit. Must not be on export. Sounds cool though. For decals that have yellowed, put them in a window that gets lots of sunlight & wait a few days/weeks & the yellow will disappear. May bleach out the colors some, so don’t over do it. They may still shatter when put in water though, so test & topcoat if needed. If you topcoat, remember that you now have to cut each marking as close as possible, since they are all now joined by the topcoat.
I have heard that taping the decal sheet to a sunny window will bleach out the yellowing on the decals. Haven’t tried it myself, but I have several sheets that I should try it on.
I’ve seen Modela before but have never built one of their kits.
Didn’t mean to repeat what Rick just posted, he got it in while I was typing mine, ha ha. His advice is better and more thorough anyway (good job, Rick).
I don’t know if it could be done ,but,why not reproduce them on a copier and just use the paint program to remove the yellow and run a new set of home made decals?
I have never done this but may have to try on a set of cals I have.
Glen S.
Thanks for the info guys, We had arun of real sunny days here in Brno a few weeks back, so I wish I’d had the kit then to try putting the decals in a window.
The option I’m going with simply has black registration number decals, no white details or anything, so its only the carrier film thats yellowed. The black is a bit faded, but thats nothing I cant fix up with a permanent black felt pen.
I’ll try the clear coating of the decal sheet to avoid the decals breaking up.
I’ve sold a bunch of those glider kits by Modela. I got them from a fellow in Poland back in the 80’s. The only one I have left is a LET L13 Blanik in 1/48. Neat little kits.
I’ll add a bit to the sun bleaching tips. I have a couple pieces of plexiglass that I put my yellowed decals between. This keeps the decals flat and protects them. I think the plexi also helps focus the light. I tape the edges together and place it on my car dash (sunniest place I know). Don’t do this on too hot a day and make sure the decal and plexiglass are very dry. When you get home from work bring your decals in and place them in a sunny window if you still have some daylight left.
I’ve seen a few of these before, there was actually an entire series of 1/48 sail planes produced. The decals can be easily salvaged by coating them with Testors decal fixative. I have saved old Otaki decals that had multiple splits in them in this manner.