1:35 Schwimmwagen Trippel SG6/38 - 3D-Printed & Coloured Interior on Decal Paper (for Das Werk Kits)

The real subject

The Trippel SG6/38 is a German amphibious car from the end of the 1930s, that is, a vehicle able to drive on land and to swim. The body is open, so on the finished model the inside stays in full view: the instrument panel, the seats and the inner faces of the sides. A plastic kit captures these surfaces only in rough outline, and the dials usually have to be picked out with a brush.

What the set contains

Color three-dimensional interior elements prepared for the kit from Das Werk in 1:35 scale. The artwork is layered and slightly raised, so the dials, switches and lettering stand out above the surrounding surface and the interior gains depth. The elements are printed on backing decal paper, off which they slide after a brief soak: they have no adhesive layer of their own, and a decal softener or fixer does not belong on them, as the chemicals would attack the printed resin.

Application

First spray the inside of the car with a base color, let it dry perfectly and coat the surfaces under the elements with gloss varnish (Future or Klear, Tamiya X-22), because the elements hold best on a smooth glossy surface. Separate the individual elements with a sharp blade, leave them in lukewarm water for about fifteen seconds and slide them off the paper into place. Settle them with tweezers and press them down with a soft tool so that they bed into corners and onto panel edges; in a broken-up corner a drop of super glue helps. Work one piece at a time and think the position through in advance.

Who it is for

For the modeler who wants a legible interior in an open car and does not want to paint the instruments by hand. The work takes about an hour and even a less experienced builder can manage it, but fine-tipped tweezers and good lighting come in handy. The set does not contain the kit, paints or glue, unless stated otherwise.