1:72 Gold Stripes

Gold Stripes 1:72 — a Techmod decal sheet

A sheet of wet decals in 1:72 scale with stripes in gold tones. It is not a kit or a part to be glued on — it is source material for markings. You cut the stripes to the length you need yourself and apply them onto a finished, smoothly varnished surface of the model. They suit anywhere the sheet included with a kit is not enough: the trim of ailerons and rudders, decorative bands on a fuselage, the framing of numbers and letters, or completing a scheme of your own that you put together as you please.

How to work with the sheet

The procedure is the same as with ordinary wet decals. Cut the piece you need out with a sharp scalpel close to the edge of the printing, dip it in lukewarm water for a few seconds and let it stand until the backing releases. Then slide the decal onto the moistened spot and guide it into position with a brush. The base has to be glossy — on a flat varnish a silvery haze forms under the film. Draw the excess water off with absorbent paper and let it dry thoroughly.

What to watch out for

Long narrow stripes tear easily, so handle them with a damp brush rather than tweezers. On curved surfaces and transitions use a decal softener, so that the film draws down to the shape and no bubbles are left under it. Gold-toned printing looks best on a smooth, even base; once it has dried, go over the whole model with a clear varnish, which sinks the decal into the surface and evens the sheen out. The exact widths of the stripes and the size of the sheet are not stated here, so allow for that when planning a scheme.

Who the sheet is for

• Modelers who put together a color scheme of their own
• Builds where trim and decorative bands of a precise width are needed
• Completing or replacing damaged markings from an old box
• Modelers with experience of applying wet decals

This is a decal sheet, not a kit. Paints, varnishes and a decal softener are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.