The paint is in and I’m finally spraying tomorrow. Excited would be an understatement!
The next problem will be re-creating the fuselage markings. I do have quite a few original transfers but these are very old and have yellowed. What is the recommended way forward? Use the printable stuff with an inkjet printer and lacquer over it? Hand paint it? I’m still stuck for authentic ejection seat warnings too if anyone can help.
Also, instrument panels… the legends are stamped into the panel and ‘filled’ with white paint. How was this done and how do I re-create it? So far I’ve had fair success using a paint stick – what have others done?
Thanks for any help.
Roy.
By: wv838 - 16th June 2006 at 23:59
Fly.Buy – I’ll be updating the site (at last) on monday morning with pics from this weekend. The cockpit interior is really getting there, I’ve been amazed at how much stuff I’ve been able to find and even today – I got a nice lead on the last few parts needed.
Exterior – the first paint goes on tomorrow, spent this evening de-dusting the place ready for the wunnerful haze of 2-pack paint.
Remember, that unlike most cockpits, ‘838 suffered a serious crash and then many years of abuse. She looks a heckuva lot better now than she did a few years ago but she’ll never be perfect.
Didn’t realise it was you I bought the panel from! Never dreamed I’d find one but several have come my way over the last few years. I’m still grateful though!
I hope the pictures will have been worth the wait… watch this space!
Roy.
By: FLY.BUY - 16th June 2006 at 20:42
Roy,
I remember reading something about the stenciling on the ICC forum, this query has been raised before. No doubt you may have checked this?
Looking forward to seeing your completed project, do you still have the main panel you purchased from me?
Keep up the excellent work.
Regards
Fly.Buy
By: wv838 - 16th June 2006 at 20:34
Rivet – will PM you about your offer.
Many thanks,
Roy.
By: Mark V - 16th June 2006 at 18:35
the main problem with vinyl is the wastage & time taken ‘weeding’ out the letters
You are not kidding – two of us just spent an entire afternoon ‘weeding’ a set for a Spitfire, not to mention all the time creating the original artwork in the first place.
By: rivet - 16th June 2006 at 18:21
Go to one of these places that does computer cut vinyl lettering. For the stencils, they can give you a reverse image, and you stick it on, spray through, and peel off. Job done. Bruce
Not quite reverse, you just pull out the letter instead of the surrounding vinyl 😉
By: rivet - 16th June 2006 at 18:17
Don’t know what size stencils you need but, I have a vinyl cutter which will cut up to 20″ high & as long as you want, there is a special low tack blue mask vinyl which is around £6 per metre, If you have pictures & sizes, I would be happy to cut them at cost as long as there arn’t too many, as I do this as a hobby not for a living.
(the main problem with vinyl is the wastage & time taken ‘weeding’ out the letters) I would not suggest getting the letters cut from vinyl unless you go for at least a 7 year cast anything less will either peel off within a couple of years or it will shrink over time & leave an unsightly sticky edge. Hope this helps, as you know a paint job can be made of broken by the detailing.
This picture will show you the results of a mask I made for my Smart car,
By: TEXANTOMCAT - 16th June 2006 at 17:45
…cor, learn something new every day !
Cheers……. 😀
.
Me too 😎 – someone had three shredded wheat for breakfast !!!! 😀
By: wv838 - 16th June 2006 at 14:41
Ooh, thank you 7A2 – that would be very much appreciated.
An ex-RAF pal of mine told me that each squadron pretty much did it’s own thing with regard to markings – and they many were quite crudely done by hand.
Many thanks,
Roy.
By: 7A2 - 16th June 2006 at 14:32
I have an Air Britain sheet Drawing no. AW13 dated 19/9/55 which has the dimensions of 4 different styles of EJ triangles. It lists them as having been used on SeaHawk Mks 1,3 and 4. Also they were used on Hunter. Venom, Vampire,MK1 Vulcan and others.
It states on the sheet that some slight variations may exist as they were “hand painted,stencilled or transfers.
If you think it will help I will be more than happy to send a copy.
By: wv838 - 16th June 2006 at 13:59
What is the feeling about PC generated transfers?
I’ve heard of people using these but have also heard that they fade.
Roy.
By: Bruce - 16th June 2006 at 13:56
Yes, I have used the paint sticks as well – also paint markers, but they dont fill the engraving very well.
The vinyl option can be a bit expensive; I paid about £150 for a complete set for the Chipmunk, which in the scheme of things wasnt so bad. There were a lot of stencils!
Bruce
By: wv838 - 16th June 2006 at 13:45
Thanks Bruce – hadn’t thought of using vinyl as a mask, expensive but nice!
I’ve asked a heap of people over the last few years about how panels were painted and marked and have had an amazing array of quite daft answers. The one that did make some sense was the paint-stick option. Provided all old paint is removed from ‘inside’ the stamped lettering, it seems to work fairly well. I could post pics.
For anyone interested, paint sticks are available here: http://www.britink-online.co.uk/cocoon/brituk/paint_sticks.html
Roy.
By: Dave T - 16th June 2006 at 13:35
Inst panels – Wax crayon; Rub on, wipe off the excess – job done…
Bruce
…cor, learn something new every day !
Cheers……. 😀
.
By: Bruce - 16th June 2006 at 13:26
Go to one of these places that does computer cut vinyl lettering. For the stencils, they can give you a reverse image, and you stick it on, spray through, and peel off. Job done.
They can do an EJ seat marking quite easily.
Inst panels – Wax crayon; Rub on, wipe off the excess – job done…
Bruce
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June 16, 2006 at 1:07 pm