1:48 Mi 17 - Cargo cabin floor stripes

Mi-17 — cargo cabin floor stripes in 1:48 scale

A sheet of wet decals for models of the Mi-17 helicopter in 1:48 scale. It holds the markings of the cargo cabin floor, that is the stripes that on the real machine delimit the space for cargo and for crew movement. It is an accessory for a model, not the model itself.

When it comes into its own

The floor of the cargo cabin is a surface on a helicopter that is seen a great deal — a side door slid open or the rear clamshells opened and the interior is suddenly the main scene of the model. Hand-painting straight stripes on a large floor is meanwhile one of the most thankless tasks: the lines waver, masking tape lets paint creep under it, and any correction shows. Decals get around this problem. They transfer in one piece, hold the exact width and spacing, and once dry they blend with the base so that the impression left is of a sprayed line.

How to apply the decals

First spray the floor with its final color and let it cure thoroughly, then coat it with gloss varnish — on a smooth surface no air gets under the decal and no white edges form. Release the decal, soak it in lukewarm water and move it into place, aligning its position by the edges of the floor. A decal softener will help the decal hug the engraved relief. Finally unify the whole space with matte varnish and, if you like, dust it lightly with pigment so that the floor does not look factory fresh.

Who the sheet is for

• For modelers building the Mi-17 in 1:48 scale with the cargo compartment exposed.
• For creators of dioramas with troops, cargo or medical equipment in the cabin.
• For those who want to avoid hand-painting long straight lines.
• For collectors of Mi series helicopters who take the interior down to the detail.