1:32 Messerschmitt Bf-108 national insignia

1:32 Messerschmitt Bf-108 — national insignia decals

This item belongs among the decal sets of Eduard. It is not an etch, not a mask and not a model: you get a sheet of waterslide decals with national insignia for a model of the Messerschmitt Bf 108 in 1:32 scale. It serves as a supplement to or a replacement for the decals from the box, which tend to be thicker, less saturated or yellowed with age.

Decal or mask

Markings can be put on a model in two ways. A mask means spraying paint and a result without any carrier film at all, but also more work and a risk of paint bleeding under it. A decal is faster and offers precise artwork and crisp edges that are hard to achieve with a mask; in return you have to reckon with a thin layer of carrier film that needs to be suppressed on the model. In the large 1:32 scale both options are workable, but a decal is markedly faster.

Usage tips

Always apply a decal onto a gloss surface — matte paint has a microscopically broken texture and air stays trapped under the film, which shows up as a silvery haze. Cut the part out close to the artwork, soak it in lukewarm water for just a few seconds and let it rest on a paper towel until it can be slid. Once it is in place, blot the excess water away and use a decal softener so that the film sucks down onto the rivets and the engraved lines. Finally spray the model with a clear coat in the degree of sheen you want.

Who the set is for

• Builders of models in 1:32 scale who need better markings
• Modelers with an older opened kit whose decals have yellowed
• Those who want crisp artwork without laborious masking
• Anyone interested in interwar and multi-purpose aircraft

This is an accessory to a build, not a standalone model. The kit, glue and paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.