I am looking to get the new Trump 1/32 F-8 Crusader…but I dont want to model it as the same exact plane that Hasegawa’s 1/48 scale Sader on my shelf already shows. Unfortunately, that is the decal option that Trump chose.
I would very much like to model this after the F-8 that my father was plane captain of back in 1968…but the only VF-13 decals I have ever seen for any Crusader scale were for much different markings from Air Wing Ten in the mid 60’s. In 1968, VF-18 was CAG-8, tail code AJ and he was on the USS Shangri-La(CVA-38).
I have been in contact with one of the pilots from that old squadron, and can probably get my hands on enough pics to make a decent show of the markings. They were not very extravagant by then-Navy standards, which is probably why they were never used as a subject for decal sets before. This was 6th Fleet, in the Med, at a time when Vietnam was in full swing, so they didnt get as much attention that way I think. does anyone here do custom decals, and if I could get enough information/pics, would someone be willing to make a set for me? I would be forever grateful and willing to pay a reasonable cost for this! Please let me know!
Testors makes a decal kit that comes with blank decal film. You may be able to make them your self. I have no idea how good the kit is. I have the kit myself and have not tried it yet. Just a thought.
I guess I always have the option of painting the markings, but at least for a couple of them I would like decals. The lettering, for example, on some of the smaller markings would be harder to mask and paint. I dont think I would have a problem getting most of the markings in this scale, but I would have to hunt around for different decal sheets to find many of them. I have no experience in making decals of my own so i dont know what I would be looking at there.
Thanks for the tip on that testors set, I will have to look into that. It may be enough to make the smaller specific markings I need, and I could always mask and paint the larger items like the AJ tail code.
I also have the Testor’s Decal maker thing, and it’s ok, but you’ll still end up having to hunt down your own artwork at times…
If you have Photoshop and a printer, you can buy decal paper and make about anything you want… Just be sure to have both clear and white decal paper, a can of Testor’s Decal Bonding spray, and you’ll be golden…
Print out some test sheets on plain paper and once you have it, go crazy…
There are aftermarket decal mfrs working to produce various markings for the Trump kit…just be patient, leave your jet in a predelivery configuration…use the basic markings such as the star n bar and stenciling…when the markings pop up that you want, your set.
Thanks for the testors info, I will have to check that out. The idea of aftermarket decal sets is not possible right now at least because no one has yet produced for sale a decal sheet for the 1/32 scale kit. Everything out there that i have ever seen is 72 or 48 scale. Hopefully, some of the companies will release some new sheets soon…
Saw it… And I disagree… I’ve never had any problems with it… 'Course, that may be a “standards” issue… I never expected my decals to turn out “Top Shelf” commercial-quality either… I don’t make any complicated artwork or badges with it, or and entire D VII’s-worth of lozenge camouflage, but for codes, letters, numbers, insignia, sleeve-ranks, etc, it’s pretty good…
Gonna try your recommended decal papers though… The Testor’s carrier film is a tad thick for some applications…
Here is a link to a tutorial on how to make your own decals, about 3/4 of the way down on the page is a list of folks that do custom decals with an Alps printer. You might try shooting one of them an e-mail.
My only problems with the Testors Decal Maker Kit is the decal bonder spray and the paper. I dont make commercial quality decals either but having used the paper and the bonder spray I have had my decals bleed ink after using the spray and yes, I did allow it sufficent time to dry. I have also had the decal paper not allowing the the decals I printed on them to slide off properly with out having to slide them off with my fingers and ruining the decal in the process. I have also had problem with decal setting solutions such as MicroSet and MicroSol eating through the bonder and destrying the decal completely. Krylon Crystal Clear Gloss spray are what the decal paper makers recommend to use to seal the ink on water slide decal paper made for ink jet printers.
also, dont forget the MAJOR problem when making your own decals. Printers dont print white, unless you have an Alps printer, which are expensive. You CAN use white decal paper, but then you have to cut the decal PERFECTLY to not have any overflash.
I’ve done my own decals for years. And I have even done them for others on commission. Yes, I have had issues with testor’s bonding spray. I usually have to give the decal MANY quick lights sprays from about 2-3ft away. I have also tried the Krylon route, but found it made the decal too thick and it wouldnt work over curves. With time and practice, you can make commercial quality decals from the testors kit, or from plane ol’ decal paper and an inkjet printer. I’ve even won awards for models featuring home-made decals.
For all that are using Testor’s Decal Bonder, Krylon or Future. I use Microscale Liquid Decal Film or Badger Liquid Decal Film, they work better than the stuff previous listed.
