Instrument Panel Dials

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

I found a way to make clean, clear instrument faces. I know it works in 1/48, not sure about 1/72. All you need is a scanner, imaging software, & a printer.
Scan the kit’s panel. Open it with the imaging software (I use Photoshop). Using the scan as a template, “paint” the needles & numbers (you can also use text & colors) on a black background. Print it on a premium glossy photo paper. Drill out the kit’s dials, & place the print behind it (like P.E./film negative). Instant clean dials !

I scan at the hightest resolution my scanner will handle (3200 pixels/inch for 1/48 panel) & print at the highest resolution (2880 dots/inch).

Berore mounting, cover the face of the dials w/a thin transparency (cellophane from pasta box, etc.) to protect the water-soluable ink. The panel, minus instruments, can be airbrushed, washed & drybrushed w/o worry of obscuring the dials.

You can also use the scanned panel (or any other part) as a template for scratchbuilding. Scan fuselages & wings to make masks for camo, wheelwells, doors, etc. Print it on matt heavyweight paper & cut it out. You can also make belts (complete with weave & stitch patterns !)

There’s plenty of uses for a scanner/software/printer combination in modeling. Can you think of any more ?

2

Pixilator, Great technique!! I used a similar technique years ago to scratchbuild my 1/12th F-4 cockpit, though in those days I didn’t have a scanner (or even a computer, mid-1980’s) and used photocopies scaled down from the Detail & Scale book on the F-4. Clear acetate from a Q-tip box was sandwiched b/t the photocopied dials and the drilled-out instrument bezels. Still looks good to this day.

3

Thanks Pix…

Great technique [bow], will apply it to the upcoming “T-28B” project, “Ellie II”!

Sorry for my absence during the past few weeks; been re-painting in interior/part of the exterior of our home, new carpet throughout, and re-paving the driveway… now back to the things that are really important! [;)]

Later,
Frank

4

Pix:
Thanks for sharing that; I use a similar technique for making scratchbuild parts, just print the template onto self adhesive labels, apply them to the plastic or whatever, and cut out.
Bruce

5

Thanks for the tip pix, looks like I’m gonna have to go over to Mom’s house and use the scanner. Great technique.[tup]

6

Thanks, pixilator.
Do you have any photos of a instrument panel done using this technique?
I’d like to see one…
Thanks again
Cheers
LeeTree

7

I don’t have a pic of a finished panel, but this is a scan of a film negative from a Jaguar Typhoon detail set. I printed it to glossy photo paper, put it behind the P.E. panel,& everything is readible. This scan is reduced from about 3300 pixels wide to 640, but it will give you an idea of what the scanner can do. You just need a properly aligned printer with clean ink jets and selective dot/inch resolution.

OOPS ! forgot to add the pic !

8

i have used the same technique too (just downloaded a real picture though), for sidewall details…in 1/72 closed canopy the results can be deceptive giving a 3D look. good motive to find a scanner.

9

If you can get the software and get past the learning curve, Adobe Illustrator or Macromedia FreeHand allow much cleaner artwork and is much more flexible if you need to change something. This is often the software used to create the real thing these days.