1:32 BAe Hawk T.1A

Xtradecal 1:32 BAe Hawk T.1A

A sheet of waterslide decals in 1:32 scale from the British manufacturer Xtradecal, intended for models of the BAe Hawk trainer in the T.1A version. The set is an accessory for a model under way or finished and contains neither plastic parts nor other parts of a kit.

The real subject

The Hawk T.1A came about by modifying some of the British Hawk trainers so that they could carry armament and thereby widen their use beyond advanced training. The aircraft is two-seat, single-engined and subsonic, with the seats arranged in tandem. Thanks to a long period of operation these machines went through several forms of finish and marking, so separate sheets give modelers the chance to build the same type differently each time.

Application tips

With decal sheets their age also plays a part. An older sheet may have dried-out adhesive or, on the contrary, a brittle carrier film that breaks when soaked. A proven safeguard is to go over the whole sheet with a thin coat of clear gloss varnish before first use, let it dry thoroughly and only then cut the individual items out; the varnish creates a new continuous carrier layer and the film holds together. Count on a decal treated this way being somewhat thicker, so it is advisable to trim it closer to the print and to work more with a softener while settling it. If the sheet holds weakly, you can apply a thin layer of decal adhesive under the item.

Who the sheet is for

• modelers of British trainers in a large scale
• builders who want to finish a model differently from the box
• anyone interested in the T.1A version modified to carry armament
• modelers who know how to treat an older decal sheet as well

The package contains decals only. The kit, paints, glue and varnishes are not included, unless stated otherwise.