1:72 S-199 Czechoslovak stencils

Eduard 1:72 S-199 - decals for technical lettering

A decal set from the Czech maker Eduard meant for a model of the Avia S-199 in 1:72 scale. These are neither national insignia nor the markings of particular machines but technical lettering: service labels, warnings by the filler ports, markings by the access panels and similar small items, which repeat all over the airframe of the real aircraft. It is they that give a finished model its sense of scale and break up areas of unbroken finish.

What the set changes on the model

The decals supplied with kits tend to be limited when it comes to technical lettering and, in 1:72 scale, are often hard to read. A standalone set offers denser coverage and crisper printing, so a model can be taken to a state where it stands up even to a close-up photograph. It is not an intervention in the structure of the model but finishing work in the last stage of the build.

Usage tips

Decals belong on a smooth gloss base, otherwise air is trapped beneath the film and a matte silvery surround appears around the lettering. Go over the model with a gloss clear coat first, apply the decal onto a wet area and draw off the excess water with a paper towel. On riveted and engraved surfaces use a decal softener, so that the film is drawn down into the detail. Once dry, rinse the area clean of adhesive residue and fix the whole model with a matte or semi-matte clear coat, which brings the edges of the decals into line with the surface.

Who the set is for

• Modelers who want to take an S-199 model to the level of detail
• Builders for whom the kit decals are not enough for technical lettering
• Those who work with a gloss base and a decal softener

This is a decal set, not an airplane model. The kit, paints and clear coats are not included in the package.