1:32 5 Colour Lozenge - Transparent

5 Colour Lozenge - Transparent 1:32 (HGW)

A sheet of decals from the Czech manufacturer HGW with the five-color lozenge pattern, intended for models in 1:32 scale. Lozenge is a printed covering fabric with a regularly repeating geometric pattern of polygons, with which the surfaces of aircraft were covered in the First World War instead of a single-color finish. The form is transparent, that is without a covering white underprint: the color of the base shows through and helps set the resulting tone of the pattern.

The pattern

The lozenge pattern was produced in several variants, which differed in the number of colors and in their use for the upper or the lower surfaces. The five-color variant is among those most commonly worked with. Painting such a pattern by hand over a whole wing surface is practically impossible, because it means dozens of exactly adjoining fields; a printed sheet is therefore the standard modeling solution.

Use and tips

Spray the base with a smooth, light covering paint and varnish it over with a gloss varnish, so that the decal adheres and does not silver. Lay the surface out in advance: cut the strips to a width matching the real strips of the covering and place the joints so that the pattern carries over. Once soaked, let the decal release, adjust the position and only then press the water out. On the leading edges and rounded transitions use a softener, so that the material lies down without creases. Once dry, bring the surface together with a semi-matte varnish; a fine wash brings out the ribs under the covering and mattes the whole thing down.

Who the set is for

• Builders of First World War aircraft in 1:32 scale
• Modelers who do not want to paint or mask the pattern laboriously
• Builders of display and contest models with large covered surfaces
• More experienced modelers used to working with large-area decals

This is an accessory for surface finishing, not a model. Paints, varnishes and softeners are not included in the package.