1:72 Loire 130 (wet decals)

Loire 130 - decals 1:72 (Print Scale)

Waterslide decals in 1:72 scale for models of the French single-engine flying boat Loire 130. The set is a stand-alone accessory meant to replace or add to the markings supplied with a kit. The package holds only the decal sheet.

The real subject

The Loire 130 was a French catapult seaplane with a boat-shaped hull, a high wing and a single engine mounted above the wing with a pusher propeller. From the second half of the 1930s it served on the decks of the cruisers and battleships of the French Navy for observation, reconnaissance over the sea and liaison flights, but it was also operated from coastal bases overseas. The high-mounted powerplant protected the propeller from spray during takeoff and alighting, and the wing folded along the hull for stowage on board.

How to work with the decals

Apply the decals onto a smooth gloss finish. Trim the motif close to the artwork, dip it in lukewarm water for a few seconds and let it rest on the paper for a while until it starts to slide. The hull of a flying boat has sharp transitions and pronounced riveting, so a softener is worth using to settle the film right down into the detail. Draw the excess water off with a cloth, let the decal dry thoroughly and only then seal it with a covering varnish. With seaplanes, remember that the bottom of the hull tends to be scuffed by the water, so patina belongs on the decals just as it does on the surrounding surfaces.

Who the set is for

• Modelers of French naval aviation of the interwar era
• Builders of seaplanes and catapult machines in 1:72 scale
• Those who want to set a model apart from the variant offered in the box
• Modelers whose original decals in an older kit have yellowed

The package holds only the decals. The model, paints and varnishes are not included in the delivery.