1:32 RAF Code Letters and Numbers 30

RAF code letters and numbers in 1:32 scale

A decal sheet with the code letters and numbers of the Royal Air Force, intended for models in 1:32 scale. Unlike sheets tied to a single machine, it contains separate characters from which you build up the markings to suit your own subject. The number 30 in the name sets this sheet apart from the others in the line.

What the sheet is for

British aircraft carried a pair of code letters on the fuselage and, with them, one individual letter that set the machine apart within its unit; both parts stood on either side of the fuselage roundel. The combination of characters therefore differed from machine to machine, and the ready-made sheets supplied with a kit always cover only a few aircraft. Separate letters and numbers are therefore welcome when you are building a machine whose markings neither the kit nor the type-specific sheets offer, or when you need to make up a single missing character.

Application and aligning the characters

• cut the characters out one by one, with a narrow margin of the backing
• clear-coat the area under the decal with a gloss varnish, because on a matte surface a silvered veil forms
• soak the character in lukewarm water and let it rest until the film starts to shift
• stick a strip of tape on the fuselage as a guide line, and the characters will then sit in one row
• lay the spacing between the letters out dry in advance, as it is hard to correct once they are on

Building and painting tips

Go over the dried decals with a clear varnish of the same sheen as the surrounding finish; the edges of the films will disappear and the characters will look as if they had been sprayed on. On a broken surface a softener helps. The procedure stated on the packaging takes precedence over a general recommendation.

Terms of supply

A decal sheet is what is supplied. The kit, paints, varnish and softener are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.