Warbird Information Exchange

Hello,

I finally finished another one guys. This is the Fujimi 1/72 A-7A Corsair II, which is a great kit. I built it right out of the box with the exception of detailing the ejection seat with seat belts and ejection handle.

I painted it with Model Master paints and my trusty Paasche H airbrush. I used a 20+ year-old Microscale sheet #72-82 for the markings. I've always liked the scimitar markings of VA-147. Weathering was kept to a minimum with a wash on the control surfaces, various fuselage vents, wheel wells, wheels, and bomb racks. Hope you like it.

Now I need to get back on the Sword 1/72 T-33. The wing to fuselage fit isn’t very good so I’ve been working on that (fill/sand/repeat) but it bogged me down for a bit and I set it aside. I bought one of the new Xtradecal T-33 sheets recently which has inspired me to finish it. Of course, that Emhar Demon has been calling my name lately too…

More later,

-Derek

Awesome plane, and an excelent build, nice work.

Yes, very nice result, Derek.

How did the twenty-year old decals work out? I have some Microscale stuff from the very early days that I'd like to think are still viable--you have inspired me to use them.

Scott

Second Air Force wrote:Yes, very nice result, Derek.

How did the twenty-year old decals work out? I have some Microscale stuff from the very early days that I'd like to think are still viable--you have inspired me to use them.

Scott

Thanks for the kind words guys.

Well Scott, I was a bit concerned with the decals quite honestly. I actually had two of these sheets in case I needed a backup and I'm glad I did! I tested stencils from both sheets before I used them and both of the decals shattered. I coated all the decals I wanted to use with Microsol Liquid Decal Film. It worked, but only to a point I think. I still had a little trouble with some of them, so thankfully I had two sheets to use and I did need them a few times.

Next time I use some of my old Micro Scale sheets (I've got a ton of them too so there will be a next time for sure), I might try spraying them with Testors Glosscote or Future as I've heard both work. I feel that I might not have coated all the decals well enough with the Microsol Liquid Decal Film. It worked okay, by maybe spraying something on them will give me a better coating over them instead of just brushing something on. I did notice that some of the decals seemed to crack when I brushed on the Microsol Liquid Decal Film so maybe that was a case of putting too much on or having it too thick in some spots?

They had to soak for a pretty good while in the water, much longer than normal. I had to be extra careful sliding them off the of the backing sheet as well.

I'd like to hear from anyone else here who has had luck restorting old decals to see how you did it and what kind of success you had.

Thanks again, this was a fun out of the box build for a change.

-Derek

I've had much the same experience with decals from other manufacturers. I have used both Clearcote and Future. If you spray Future let it cure for a good while before immersing the decal in water. I also trim right up to the very edge of the image so as not to get any of the extra film on the model. It's time consuming and tedious but I've saved a few fairly rare sheets that way.

Scott

if i could shrink myself down to 1/72 scale i'd fly that beauty right off your table! excellent job!!

, Yet another great work Derek. Thank you for sharing.

Cheers,
Ross.

Nice one.