1:144 F-51 MUSTANG in Korean War (wet decals)

The F-51 Mustang in the Korean War, decals 1:144 from Print Scale

A sheet of wet decals for models of the Mustang committed in the Korean War, in 1:144 scale. Wet decals are soaked in water and transferred onto the model from the backing paper. This is not a kit; the sheet is an accessory with which your own model is marked.

The real subject

After the US Air Force came into being as a separate service, the existing designation P-51 changed to F-51, because the fighter category began to be marked with the letter F. The machine thus entered the Korean War as the F-51D and acted in it above all as a fighter-bomber for the support of ground units. The liquid-cooled piston engine was vulnerable to a hit from below in this role, but the aircraft offered a long time over the target and the ability to operate from simpler airfields, which the jet machines of the day could not replace.

Application tips

In 1:144 scale decals are demanding mainly in handling. The base has to be glossy beforehand, otherwise air will be trapped under the film and a matte edge will arise. Cut as close to the printing as possible, so that a minimum of carrier film is left. Use flat-tipped tweezers or a moistened brush for the transfer, not your fingers. Immerse a decal in water only briefly and let it slide into place on a wet base, as moving a small motif onto dry clear easily breaks it. Dose softener carefully and in a small amount, because a miniature motif can dissolve faster than would be desirable. Once dry, clear coat, so that the edges of the film are lost.

Who the sheet is for

• builders of small scales and collectors of aviation collections
• modelers who want the Mustang in its postwar deployment
• those for whom the decals enclosed with a kit are not enough
• more experienced modelers used to small motifs

The decals are an accessory, not a model. A kit, paints, clear coat and softener are not included in the package.