Revell Dornier 335 In Progress

[Allan]

Hi fellows,
I really didn't think I would ever reach this stage of this little modelling odyssey, but here I am with decals on my Japanese Dornier. I'll look in my decal bank to see if I can rustle up a tiny number to put on the fuselage rising sun as I've seen some Japanese planes with a number there and it looks spiffing that way.
Let's hope the decals snuggle down properly--I'll check them tomorrow morning, Saturday.
And here're the latest piccies.
Allan in Canberra

[Brian da Basher]

Not only is that paint scheme a stunner, but the Japanese charachters on the tail are the icing on the cake, Allan!

Brian da Basher

[Allan]

Thank you, Brian. I'm watching the upperwing rising sun decals with some concern as they aren't snuggling down as much as I'd like. I won't hesitate to pull the pin on them if they aren't up to scratch tomorrow morning when I next check. And I've found and applied a small number to the fuselage rising suns just for effect and  think it looks quite nice.
Allan in Canberra

[Brian da Basher]

Those hinomorus are the cherry on top, Allan! You may have better methods, but when I have similar decal challenges, I poke little holes in the decals with a pin and then use a little watered down white glue to get them to snuggle down. Any cracks or dings in the decal left afterwards are painted over by hand.

It's great to see you nearing the finish line on this epic project!

Brian da Basher

[cthulhu77]

Sharp's the word !  That is absolutely stunning !

   For the bubbly decals, you can use saliva if you don't have any micro-sol . I haven't tried white glue, but Brian's projects always have nice flat decals. I just use spit.

[Aircav]

Hi Allen
she looks great 
All the best
Steve

[sequoiaranger]

Looks great!

re: Decals--Once I have the decals in place, I always ROLL my finger (most of the time with an intermediary tissue) over the decal with a little pressure, to force the decal down onto the model. Once it is "down", simple air pressure will keep the decal from rising up again (generally. As in all things, there are exceptions). If there are some bubbles, sometimes I can carefully ROLL them out to the edges and off the decal. A little Micro-Set (and a smooth, glossy coat of paint underneath to apply the decals to) usually allows the decal to be its clingy-est and flattest.

[John Howling Mouse]

I've had decals that were so thick I was sure they'd never snuggle down.  Some MicroSol applied every hour on the hour about five times in one afternoon/evening and they look positively painted on the next day.

[BlackOps]

Allan, hope you get the decals settled in, they look great with your paint scheme!

[frank2056]

This looks stunning - I love the numbers in the Hinomarus and the tail writing.

For decals, I often use Future. I paint the area where the deal is going to go with Future, then put the decal down. As the Future dries, it'll suck the decal down. Putting some Future on top of the decal as well sometimes helps.

I also spray Future on old decal sheets or decal sheets from ex-Eastern European companies. Once the Future dries, it acts as a film holding the decal together. They won't break up once you soak them.

Brian's suggestion is a good one, too.

[lancer]

Dear god's!!! That is brilliant! Those markings have to be some of the best I've ever seen!!

[Sisko]

Wow Alan they look great mate.

The decals will settle with softner. For the bubbles in the past I have used a sharp pin to prick the decals and let the air out. then hit it with softner again.

Has worked for me anyway.

[Allan]

Hi fellows,
Thank you very kindly for your wonderful comments. It's been a long journey and all of you have been very patient.
The bad news is that the decals didn't take, some flaked off and so had to be removed, including I'm sad to say the cute little number on the fuselage. Actually, last Wednesday one bloke at our hobby club monthly meeting told me about the putting down Future first technique for decal application, but in my eagerness to complete this project I completely forgot about it. Really, I think my fav part of model making is attaching the decals--the project really comes to life at that point.
The good news is that I had some extra Hinomarus in the decal bank, although they were larger for the wings and smaller for the fuselage. The wing Hinomarus now look at little more pugnacious, I think. I might use some small German numbers (see pic) for the fuselage Hinomaru or maybe put out an sos with my hobby club for a white number about one centimeter high to take its place. That can be done later, I think.
The new decals have taken pretty well and so what I have to do next is attach some small bits and pieces and then hit it with a wash (first time for me so tips gratefully accepted), after annointing it with my fav flat varnish, Testors Dullcoat.
Here're some of the latest shots.
Allan in Canberra

[sotoolslinger]

So many of the comment here express my admiration for this project all I can say is that THAT IS FREAKIN AWESOME

[Allan]

Hi fellows,
Here's how she looks now with exhaust shrouds (matt grey and silver with red drybrushing to resemble rust and so on) and air intakes added. It's a day fighter so I don't know how to explain away the exhaust shrouds, but not to worry: it's a What If after all. New number on the fuselage Hinomaru. Next step is giving it a wash, I think, and I'll need some advice from you--I'm leaning towards using some water soluble oil mixed with water and some washingup liquid, but what color oil given it's white and blue on top and lightish grey underneath with wide white bands on wings and fuselage? Advice needed!!