1:72 German WWI 4-Colour Lozenge (lower surface)

The real subject

Instead of sprayed camouflage, German aircraft of the First World War were given a covering of fabric with a pre-printed polygonal pattern known as lozenge. The regular grid of colored fields broke up the outline of the wing and saved work with paint at the unit itself. The pattern existed in variants with different numbers of shades, and the lower surfaces differed from the upper ones in their lighter tone. This sheet brings the four-color version for the lower surfaces in 1:72 scale.

How to work with the sheet

These are classic wet decals. Dip the piece you have cut out in water for a moment and let it stand until the film moves freely on its backing. Then slide it onto the model, adjust its position and press the water out from under the film with a soft stick, working from the middle toward the edges. The base should be smooth and glossy, otherwise air stays under the decal and the area goes white.

Application tips

In a small scale the pattern is dense and every shift shows, so cover the surface in smaller pieces and keep checking that the grid lines up. The film is thin and folds easily while wet; a damp brush helps, as it handles the film more gently than tweezers. Use a decal softener on the ribs and do not move the part until it is dry. Finally, varnish the surface so that the edges of the film disappear.

Who it is for

The sheet suits builders of German First World War aircraft in a small scale, where painting the pattern would be extremely difficult. The package contains decals only; the model, paints, varnish and decal softener are not included, unless stated otherwise.