SPA Modeler

As Stik said in another thread, aftermarket decals could take up a thread of their own. And well here ya have it.

I love that we have such a wide selection of decals for just about everything. Of course there's times that you still can't get the decals that you want. Whether they're out of production or they just simply don't make them anymore. There's been several times that I've wanted decals for certain US Naval aircraft just to find that they don't make them anymore.

Since I do a lot of modern jets and such I like to chose a paint scheme that has a little more color than plain old grey. It could be a CAG bird or a special scheme (squadron anniversary, years in service, etc).

I'd like to see more stencil and weapon markings decals that aren't "limited run" so that I can get them when I need them and not have to buy several copies just so I have them.

I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum for markings. I like the combat line birds that do the fighting and not the dog & pony commemorative or leader birds. Mission marks and nose art are a big plus! But yes, I do not care for the current short run high price sheets. And I miss the generic sheets of letters and numbers that used to be readily found...

Stikpusher wrote: I like the combat line birds that do the fighting and not the dog & pony commemorative or leader birds.

What bugs the hell outta me....decal sheets that have 47 different marking options, but only enough common/stencils markings to do ONE plane.

I'd like to see different sizes of 1/72 scale large letters and numbers to put on noses of C-47 Skytrain kits. Kinda like this:

http://www.warhistoryonline.com/war-art ... d-day.html

I'd make my own decals, but you can't print anything in white.

BlackSheep214 wrote:I'd like to see different sizes of 1/72 scale large letters and numbers to put on noses of C-47 Skytrain kits. Kinda like this:

http://www.warhistoryonline.com/war-art ... d-day.html

I'd make my own decals, but you can't print anything in white.

That was something that used to be commonly found in the three main scales. US, Brit, and German fuselage and tail letters and numbers in the main common colors. With those, you could pretty much model any aircraft you like aside from personal markings like art, mission, kill, or unit insignia. Some companies still do some generic type sheets like those. But you have to hunt for those sheets.

I do not have that many AM decal sheets. Maybe four or five. I build a lot of odd ball aircraft where there are not that many AM sheets available.

I'm so far in the poorhouse these days, I don't consider AM decals at all. I have looked for some 1/48 DC-3 alternatives to the Eastern Airline livery that is included in the Monogram box, but that's about it. I think I'm too much an OOTB guy.

Fermis wrote:

Stikpusher wrote: I like the combat line birds that do the fighting and not the dog & pony commemorative or leader birds.

Those fancy-smancy commemorative markings or fighter-meet (eg: Tiger Meet) markings always turn my stomach. Give me some WAR BIRDS!!!

I would not sat that the state of decals is "bad" today. It seems like there are more companies than ever out there now producing decals. And with the right programs on your home computer and a proper printer, you can even print your own! How cool is that? BUT.... what the companies do produce are short production runs. if you do not snatch up the decals when they are released, your chances of getting the set you want drop significantly. And there do seem to be trends among the different makers to do these sets. Early in OEF and OIF the decal companies did lots of combat birds with associated mission marks and nose art. As those campaigns wore on and on and on, those sheets disappeared and were replaced by lots of CAG, Commemoratives, or other one offs. I do wish that they would provide a balance of both. Showboat schemes for the builders who like those, and combat schemes for the builders of that sway... And please, produce longer production runs!