6.2 ) After Market Decals

Special decals sold as individual items and not part of a packaged model. Decals usually portrays markings such as national insignia, unit identification, localized slogans, aircraft "nose art", vehicle graffiti, etc. These decals can be water soluble, dry transfer or stencil grid templates.

Example 1a : 1950s Korean War-era Red Chinese and North Korean markings for 1.48th MIG-15 fighter plane.

Example 1b : Color profile illustrating "502" Mig-15 of Red China People's Liberation Army Air Force during the Korean War, camouflaged for night-interception.

Example 2a : Decals for 1.32nd scale A-10 Warthog ground attack aircraft, including national - unit - nose art insignias.

Example 2b : Complementary illustrations showing placement of A-10 model decals and camouflage profile.

Example 3a : Red checkerboard decal, enables the modeler to by-pass meticulous masking and painting of these markings.

Example 3b : Potential usage of red checkerboard decal to model a Polish TS11 Iskra jet.

Water-soluble decals soaked in preparation for transfer.

Readied decal placed next to transfer surface. Model surface also swabbed with decal setting solution for ease of decal transfer.

Insignia moved from decal paper to model surface, excess liquid is siphoned off with cotton swab or tissue paper.

Results after decal as set and dried, ready for model weathering if necessary.

Dry Transfer Decals can be transferred to model surface via a simple rubbing motion. Thus does not require water soaking nor setting solution.

Dry Transfer Decals does not have excess decal film like water-soluble decals. Hence produces realistic markings such as the German "Hier aufblocken" ( Here Up-block, or Hook-Up Here ) on tail wheel assembly.

Dry Transfer Decal sample on propeller blade, showing manufacturer stamp grading.

Dry Transfer Decal can also be used in stencil format, such as Soviet armored markings above. Decals are transferred to model surface, used as painting mask, then removed.