Questions for the S T E N C I L Experts

[Craig59]

I’ve got a complete Sikorsky S-55 tail rotor assembly I want to restore as it would have appeared on a Marine HRS version circa 1952; very close to this Army set but, all flat black with the yellow stripes.

Though it’s not imperative, I’d like to then recreate the stencils using a photo of the one my Dad’s and his HRS took a chunk out of with his main rotor blade during his October 1952 mid-air.
Story & photo here: https://www.airspacemag.com/military-aviation/contact-1-69079907/

My questions regard the sizes of the stencils. The larger appears to be 7/8” which from everything I’ve been able to research online is very unusual and I’ve been unable to find an equivalent, especially in oil board. The smaller stencil is half the larger at 7/16” ???

I ordered a plastic metric set and the 10mm is very close to the 7/16” and would be an acceptable replacement although I question the manageability of the plastic. The 20mm letters are too skinny to use for the 7/8”.

So, any other thoughts or suggestions from WIXers?

[CoastieJohn]

Craig,

I don't know if this is what you're looking for but could you get in touch with the Sikorsky Historian and have him scan and e-send you the actual size/font of the letters/number stencils coming out of the factory at that time period?

John

[Pogmusic]

My suggestion, that I used in restoring my WW II Willy's MB, is to go to your local print store that can do vinyl. I brought a drawing and a photograph of the stencils I needed. They did a great match and could then size it to what ever size I needed. Then, you peel the letters/numbers out of the vinyl to make a stencil. Then the whole vinyl becomes the stencil without worrying about over/under spray. Comes out very clean.

[C VEICH]

Hi Craig,

If you can supply me with a good picture of the stencils I can recreate them in AutoCad and laser cut the stencils for you from oil board. If you're interested in discussing it please shoot me an email at cwveich@cwvmodels.com.

Cheers,
Chad Veich

[p51]

You could contact this guy, he does great work and I bet he'd be willing to match what you need: https://www.militarystencils.com/