1:35 Soviet Numbers WWII STENCIL

Vallejo Soviet Numbers WWII, a stencil for spraying, 1:35

This is not a kit, a paint or a set of decals. It is a stencil from the Spanish brand Vallejo, that is a sheet with cut-out numerals that is laid on a model and through whose openings paint is sprayed. The characters are based on the form of the tactical numbers used on Soviet tracked vehicles during the Second World War, in 1:35 scale.

Why a stencil and not a decal

In practice tactical numbers were applied by hand or through cut-out templates, so they tended to have irregular edges, uneven saturation and places where the base showed through. A precise, sharp decal cannot capture that character, and on top of that its carrier film creates a visible glossy outline on a flat or rough finish. A sprayed number lies directly in the paint, can be made deliberately imperfect, and washes and pigments can be worked over it without trouble.

Application procedure

Let the base coat cure properly. Lay the stencil in place, press it down and secure it with low-tack tape; on rounded surfaces, such as the side of a turret, divide it and work numeral by numeral, as otherwise the sheet will not lie close. Check the spacing dry first, because unevenly placed numbers are immediately visible on a finished model. Apply the paint very thin, perpendicular to the surface and in thin coats, ideally so that it is not fully opaque. Lift the stencil before the paint has dried completely and clean it at once.

Who it is for

• Builders of Soviet tracked vehicles in 1:35 scale
• Modelers who want markings painted, not stuck on
• Dioramas and vignettes where any number is needed, not just the one from a decal sheet
• More experienced airbrush users working with thinned paint

The stencil is an aid for painting. Paints, thinner and a model are not included in the package. Ventilate when spraying and protect your airways.