'Tis a cool idea, and not really an original one, but I personally would want to do this kind of paintwork myself; the painting is a big part of why I like this hobby so much.
I realize that others may not have the desire or, more usually, the skill to do some things which are necessary to produce a good replica, but this is a bit whimsical to me. I’m just too much of an artistic and creative kinda guy, I guess.
Anyhoo, despite my personal preferences and somewhat condescending view of this type of thing, I do think it’s good that there could be such an alternative for folks who are unable or unwilling to attempt intricate paintwork.
I’m curious to hear what others think about this kind of thing…
while I my self would never build something like this, Its a great beginner to get younger modelers intrested. I have a 10yr old cousin who’s fasinated with military aviation, loves models but his father doesnt share any of his intrests. When I get the chance to visit or he comes to see me he always wants to build something from my stash… but he can barely keep the glue to small little dabs though he has gotten better using a toothpick to apply. His painting skills leave much to be desired and hes constantly getting frusrated that his models never look as good as mine. Try and explain patience and practice to a hyperactive 10yr old This may be just the think to keep him going…
So my opinion, Its not for me but I wont knock it. Kinda like ice cream theres thousands of flavors many of which I cant stand. Awnser: I dont buy em… stick with chocolate and vanilla and leave chuncky chocolate spinach split to those that would appreciate it
I think they’re a great idea for those with less than museum quality modelling skills who want to accomplish something a little more difficult or eye-catching than their abilities allow.
Personally, it’s not something that I’d ever contemplate buying. I guess it’s the journey that interests me - and having pre-prepared sub-assemblies or pre-painted parts doesn’t interest me.
I have to agree with you partially BlackDog. But this may be a good thing for those persons who lack an airbrush or live in a small apartment where there is no good ventilation for the use of an airbrush.
Curious and even more curiouser. . .
For $21 US the kit alone sounds like a deal, if the detail looks as good as described.
The decals, again if they do as they should and lay down correctly would be neat, (and maybe a challenge to get to look like paint!).
As I do not have museum quality skills I might be tempted.
Back in the late '60s when AM decals first came out, I had a long discussion with a good friend about them. He was literally a genius at painting 1/72 insgnia and when I showed up with a 109E in the markings of JG 27, he just came unglued both at me and the manufacturer. I finally convinced him that if I had his skills I wouldn’t buy the decals and he really shouldn’t worry about it.
And after my experiences with large area decals on my Hansa-Brandenburg, I probably won’t try the kit decals if I get one of the 109s.
I’ve been having this same conversation with a couple of people. I kinda think this takes all the skill and artistry out of the hobby. It leaves very little to no room for skill development. Kinda takes the fun of the imagination and problem solving out of it as well, IMHO. Tho a good idea, one that is not for me.
I can’t imaging that the wing & Fuselage decals would :
A) fit perfectly
B) lay down smoothly
and be a bear to move arond without ripping.
The good thing about this hobby is tha you have a choise. There are people who say the same thing about PE and resis sets, even newer kits are “too good” for some modelers. Scrathcbuilders may think that even kitbashing is cheating.
I dunno, some people have more trouble with decals than paint!
Recently I’ve been staying away from waterslide decals as much as possible, ever since I discovered dry transfers. Been using stencils a lot more, too…so I’d rather not use huge decals if I don’t have too.
They do look good, though!
As far as calling it “cheating” (somebody did), I don’t think you can call anything in modelling “cheating.” Any tool or technique that helps the modeller achieve the desired result should be A-OK!
A lot of “pre-painted” stuff available-but it’s like fast food-if you don’t have to cook it’s a blessing. I don’t go for either but the options are always there.
I don’t see how this is much different from all the WWI lozenge decals that are available. Granted, painting lozenge is a bit more difficult than the schemes on those 109s, but getting a whole sheet of decals to lay down right and look good takes its own set of special skills.
From the photos on the pages that Black Wolf posted, I’d say that paint looks a little better than the decals, but I say that the more options we as model builders have, the better.
After all, there’s photo etched brass accessories, resin conversion or upgrade sets, aftermarket decals, and a whole host of specialized tools available for us to use. It’s not like there’s some strong ethic that we should only build out of the box and paint all our own markings.
I’m not a beginner in the hobby, but I can tell ya, I like the idea of the decals for camo schemes. I love to build, modify, finesse a kit, add PE, etc, BUT, (like I said on the airbrush board awhile back) I absolutely hate to paint. I really admire you guys who can make the ole airbrush “sing and dance.”
I currently have 3 kits waiting to finish and its due to painting (especially the [censored]canopies). I would much rather decal then paint. But, that may be because I’m also into model trains and a lot of us do bookoo (-sp) decaling over there, so its normally one of the things you get the hang of.
I agree with the folks who are saying they better snuggle down good and react to sol/set. If not, may likely be a shortlived idea, as folks won’t like wrinkles in their finish.
Use them, don’t use them its your choice. It won’t look as good as paint so advanced modelers probably won’t use them. I have the 109F-4 on it’s way to me right now…I bought it because there are no good 109F’s in this scale till now. I won’t be doing the schemes included with the kit so the decals are of no interest to me and the schemes are not that difficult so I really can’t see any reason to use them anyway.
The Fine Molds Ki-61 Hein comes with decals for the “squiggle” paint scheme that I would give a try. I have never seen anyone build a kit of this plane in 1/72 and be able to apply this scheme with a great degree of realism. I know I can’t with my airbrush…I can do German mottle well in 1/72 as you can see from my 262 sig pic but I have not found a way to do the Ki-61 scheme. The decals for the Ki-61 looks excellent and is exactly correct for the plane depicted so why not use it. I know at least one person who has won numerous awards for his skills is planning on using it for his build. I know that may seem like “cheating” to some but until I see someone do an accurate looking Ki-61 squiggle scheme in 1/72 scale I will consider it just another modeling tool to accomplish a particular result.
Like Joe, I plan on getting a couple of these kits, but I wouldn’t use the decals. It’s been tried before, I recall some Co. (don’t recall who) released water slide decals for the dark green camo on a 1/72 Spit. But most beginners have more trouble with large decals than they do with paint & most intermediate or higher skilled modelers wouldnt use them.
This may be just the think to keep him going…