I have a large number of German WW1 models, many of which are equipped with lozenge-pattern camoflage sheets for the wings (and some cases fuselage as well) that are very large, and very awkward to work with. The biggest problem seems to be dealing with the edges of the wings, since the decals don’t want to go around that sharp of an edge, dry up, curl up, split, etc, etc. Does anyone have any tried and true method for dealing with this issue? I have tried several decal softening solutions, but they don’t seem to work very well. I have also tried cutting a number of small slits in the decal itself around the ends of the wingtips to keep the decal from tearing or folding up, but with only limited success…
Sorry, can’t anwer your question other than to say that if oyu don’t get a responce here, go to the Knights of the Sky thread in the Group Build seciton. You will probably learn more about lozenge camo than oyu ever thought existed[;)]
I’ve had trouble in the past with an insufficient gloss coat under the decals. What are you using for the gloss coat? You get much better adhesion if you have a very uniform gloss finish espeically around sharp corners.
I usually use Humbrol gloss…
…Had a look at some of the other comments, and none sounds particularly helpful, or better than what I am already doing. Again, I ordinarly put the TOP pieces on first (most people seem to put on the bottom first, strangely!), usually in pieces chordwise, measuring and cutting carefully to make sure the edges between two pieces end up on top of a rib (so rib tape decals can be added later). Around the wingtips, I roughly trim the decal to shape, then cut a series of small cuts all the way around the wingtip so that these can be folded around the tip without creating large folds or tears. Along the leading edge, I curl a small bit over, and leave a small bit hanging off the trailing edge. If all this goes according to plan, then I just need to cut the lower decals to size and place them so they overlap the curled over upper camoflage decals in front, and trim them closely aft so as to make a fine trailing edge. The big problem comes in getting the wingtip cuts to fold over smoothly and stay in place long enough to dry, and sometimes this is a problem with the leading edge too. It is PARTICULARLY a problem with the AMERICAL/GRYPHON decals, because these are made of a particularly thick film, and nothing I do seeems to get them to soften up sufficiently!! Is there anyone out there with a better method, other than trying to paint over the rips and tears that seem to be inevitable (especially with AMERICAL)??