1:48 Vampire FB.9 SPACE

Eduard SPACE 3D decals 1:48 de Havilland Vampire FB.9

SPACE is a line of decals with a three-dimensional surface that are settled directly on the cockpit parts. Compared with a classic decal they have relief, so the instrument panel and the side panels look three-dimensional even without picking out every dial by hand. They have no adhesive layer of their own and hold on PVA glue (white glue). It is an accessory for the build, not a model: the kit in 1:48 scale has to be obtained separately.

The real subject

The de Havilland Vampire was a first-generation British jet fighter with a characteristic pair of tail booms and a short fuselage nacelle. The FB.9 version was the fighter-bomber variant adapted for service in a hot climate, where cabin cooling had to be dealt with. The cockpit of the first jet machines is fairly simple, which makes a well-executed instrument panel stand out all the more.

Usage tips

First spray the cockpit parts with the base shade and let them harden thoroughly. Separate the decal with a sharp scalpel, moisten the backing paper with a sponge and a drop of dish soap and lift the element with tweezers. Settle it on a drop of PVA glue (white glue) and press it down with a soft brush or a cotton swab so that it sits into the recesses; the manufacturer does not recommend cyanoacrylate glue. Do not use a decal softener at all, as its chemistry attacks the printed resin. Finally unify the surface with a matte varnish. Before closing the fuselage, check that the parts with the decal still pass into place.

Who the set is for

• Modelers who want a rich cockpit without painting tiny dials.
• Builders of British postwar jet aircraft in 1:48 scale.
• Those interested in raising the level of the interior quickly on a production kit.
• Anyone who finds hand painting of instruments difficult.