1:32 Fairey Swordfish Mk.I 3D-Printed & coloured Interior on decal paper (Trumpeter)

Fairey Swordfish Mk.I interior 3D decal (1:32, for Trumpeter)

This is not an aircraft model but a detail set for the cockpit. It is a 3D decal, a color decal with relief of the instrument panels and the panels of the open cockpits, which is applied directly into the interior of the plastic Fairey Swordfish Mk.I kit in 1:32 scale from Trumpeter. The set is made by Quinta Studio, a specialist in color 3D interior decals.

Why a 3D decal instead of painting the cockpit

The decal carries raised, color-printed detail: recessed dials, raised bezels, blocks of instruments, switches, buttons, warning lights, levers and labels. It does away with the laborious painting and shading of the cockpits and with assembling multi-layer photo-etched panels. On a biplane with open cockpits the interior is clearly visible, so the detail is worth it. The result looks more realistic than a flat decal and is finished far more quickly than hand painting.

Use and application

• Cut the individual elements out carefully with a sharp scalpel.
• Soak the sheet with the cut-out element briefly in lukewarm water, for about 15 seconds, and let it rest until the element starts to slide on its backing.
• Slide the element onto a clean, degreased surface covered with a gloss coat (Future, Klear, Tamiya X-22); it has no adhesive layer of its own and will not hold on a matte surface. Do not use a decal softener, as it would attack the printed resin.
• The relief can follow slightly curved surfaces as well; press it down with a soft tool.
• Once dry, the detail can be picked out with a fine wash or a matte coat.

Who the set is for

For modelers who are building the large Swordfish in 1:32 scale from Trumpeter and want to raise the interior of this British carrier-borne torpedo biplane of the Second World War without painting. The work is straightforward and even a less experienced modeler will manage it.

This is an accessory, not a model. The base kit, paints and glue are not included in the package.