slick95 Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 (edited) I'm almost finished with the beast. It's been a three year project due to lost initiative. Anyway, today was a major milestone with the application of decals to the model. This is actually a commission build for a neighbor who worked on the Tomcat for VF-213 during the 1980-81 cruise on the USS America. I started by using the 1/32 CAM decals for VF-213. However, the decals are for the USS Kittyhawk, so obviously I would need to make my own. I used the stenciling from the kit, however...the older Tomcats used high-viz type markings, not the grey low-viz that came with the kit. I also needed to make these. So without further ado lets begin the decal making how to. (The rhyme was unintentional). ***NOTE: THE TASK OF MAKING DECALS (at least in the beginning) CAN BE A VERY TRIAL AND ERROR ASSIGNMENT*** For this kit I would need to make the "Danger Jet Intake" decals and small triangle danger decals red, and some of the rescue decals in yellow...as well as the black USS AMERICA decals. Supplies: -Ink Jet Printer and Scanner -Decal Paper (I use Testors Clear because it's cheap and I can buy it from the local Hobby Lobby...obviously there are better brands, but I'm cheap.) -Decal Sealer (I also use Testors) -Scissors -MS Word -Some sort of Picture Editing program (again, I'm cheap so I use one of my favorite freeware programs "IrfanView") -Ruler Step 1: Since I already had the decals available from the kit (just in the wrong color) I would go ahead and use them. I started by placing the kit decal sheet into my scanner and made a color scan of the sheet...or in this case, only the section I needed. Depending on what your editing program allows, you may have to change the format of your scan to a JPEG file. Step 2: After completing the scan, I opened up my editing program. This is a semi tricky part. Since there were multiple decals on the sheet that I needed to alter, and they weren't all right next to each other, I had to do this next part in sections. I started with the "Beware of Intake" decals. I first cropped those decals so that they were the only thing in the editing window at the time. Then, I opened the "Enhance Colors" tab and moved the red bar as high as it would go, and adjusted green and blue accordingly in order to achieve the best red. I also adjusted the contrast and saturation (this was all experimentation at first) to achieve an even better looking red color. ***NOTE: Depending on what editing program you use, the color enhancing feature may be different*** I also sharpened the decal a bit. -figure 1: Here is a picture with the editing decals in IrfanView. Step 3: After I had found my desired colors and decals I opened MS Word. I copied the edited picture into word. Using the ruler, I measured the actual decal from the sheet, and adjusted the picture using the measuring tape at the top of a word document. I adjust the picture from one of the corners (easiest from the bottom right) in order to keep the same dimensions in both "X" and "Y" of the decal. I also need to type the "USS AMERICA" portion, but since it was in black and I knew the closest font type, this part was easy. I just typed the decal out, then measure where it would need to go (you may have to print a few quick tests in draft to get the perfect size) and adjusted the font size as needed. ***NOTE: If you have decals that are just typed in MS Word, then you can go ahead and print them. You don't need to make any copies of typed decals, which you will learn about in upcoming steps.*** Step 4: I also needed some yellow "Rescue" arrows. However, I was unable to adjust any colors in order to achieve yellow. I found an old Revell F-14A in 1/48 that had the yellow arrows. Again I scanned these, opened them in the editing program, cropped the picture, copied it to word, and used the ruler and MS Word tape technique to adjust the size for 1/32. Voila! I had yellow decals. Step 5: Now that I had all the decals I needed on MS Word, and sizes were adjusted correctly, I printed a color (was close to running out of black ink and needed to save it) copy of the decals on normal printing paper in draft. Once printed came the tedious task of cutting out all the parts. The reason for doing this was to get rid of undesirable tinted red backgrounds from altering the pictures...otherwise I would print a test then print the decal. I cut out all the pieces as shown in figure 2 and 3: -figure 2: -figure 3: Step 6: After cutting out all the parts, I made another scan with the parts lined up to fit on the decal paper, and as I would figure out (trial and error) I also needed to make sure I lined them up appropriately so that I could adjust them correctly once more in word. It's a balance of both how things fit in word and on the decal paper...there is a lot of cross checking. -figure 4: Placing the pieces into the scanner Step 7: After scanning, I again opened my editing program to adjust the colors just a bit. (I wouldn't have had to do this if I had enough ink to go ahead and print the test color in "best" format...this way the colors are already correct). I then copied the entire picture again (no cropping this time) into MS Word. I adjusted just a bit for the proper size, and printed a test once more on printing paper. When I was satisfied with the proper size (cross checking with the actual decals and such) I broke out the decal paper. Step 8: ***NOTE: MAKE SURE YOU WIPE THE DECAL CLEAN OF ANY FINGER PRINTS*** I have spent hours trying to figure out what was going on with previous decals before I figured out it was my own finger prints ruining my paper. Once the decal paper was cleaned and spotless, I inserted it CORRECTLY into the printer. I adjusted the print settings for best...and let her rip! Unfortunately I had a bad case of rushing and stupidity...and printed the first one in black and white. (Trial and Error...or just make sure your settings don't change when you change quality) After readjusting everything, I printed the decals again...in color. Step 9: After printing the decals, carefully move to a well ventilated area and spray the decals with sealer. Let the sealer dry overnight. After 24 hours the decals should be usable. Cut them as close to their edges as possible, and go about your normal decal procedures! Thanks for reading! I hope this helps some of you with making your own decals! SLICK Edited January 7, 2009 by slick95 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
shadowy_one Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 1ST CLASS..TOP SHELF sir ;) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
slick95 Posted January 5, 2009 Author Share Posted January 5, 2009 (edited) Thanks Shadowy One! Another quick update! The decals are ready and have been applied to the model. A apologize for the quality of the photos...wasn't the best this time around. SLICK Edited January 5, 2009 by slick95 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
slick95 Posted January 7, 2009 Author Share Posted January 7, 2009 Tonight I future coated over the decals to seal them and did a little weathering on the wings. Hopefully tomorrow I will have time to finish weathering. It's getting close!! SLICK Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jimz66 Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Slick where's the 2 on the wings? Shouldn't it be there? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
slick95 Posted January 7, 2009 Author Share Posted January 7, 2009 Huh? I never even noticed. I assumed CAM decals had gotten them correct, but after consulting the cruise book, I can see there is a number 2. I'll have to make one and apply it. Thanks for pointing that out! SLICK Quote Link to post Share on other sites
slick95 Posted January 11, 2009 Author Share Posted January 11, 2009 Today I was able to almost complete all the wash and weathering. Hopefully tomorrow I can clear coat it again. Thanks for looking! SLICK Quote Link to post Share on other sites
geedubelyer Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 What a beauty Slick Great choice of markings. This is a very eye-catching scheme. Those home-made decals turned out really well and look the biz on the jet. Not far to go now. I'm already looking forward to the next update. ;) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HOLMES Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 (edited) Well you certainly made us wait Slick.. I have waited patiently for over a year for this moment and what can I say but that it is absolutely THE BEST.... The decals are PERFECT and the weathering that you have done is very good...TOP NOTCH !!! HOLMES ;) Edited January 11, 2009 by HOLMES Quote Link to post Share on other sites
slick95 Posted January 12, 2009 Author Share Posted January 12, 2009 Thanks all for the complements! Small update for today. I was able to finish part of what I wanted to today. I primed and painted all the missiles white as well as the arresting hook. SLICK Quote Link to post Share on other sites
slick95 Posted January 19, 2009 Author Share Posted January 19, 2009 Well...today was both productive...and I managed to take a massive step backwards. I flat coated the model yesterday and was finishing all the assembly. I got within 30 seconds of finishing the model when...the canopy fell off and broke! Now I'm in need of a new canopy (somehow) and I have to put the model on hold for who knows how long. If anyone doesn't mind giving up a canopy I will buy it from them...or if they know how I could acquire a new one that would be great. Thanks for looking. SLICK Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alpagueur Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Love the weathering and the whole look of the beast! Luca Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jimz66 Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Looks great Slick. I agree very nice scheme. Can't wait to see this one done. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AnthonyWan Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Sorry to hear about the canopy Slick. Hope you get that sorted out as soon as possible. That big Cat really turned out very nice. Love the homemade decals Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ghostkiller Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 (edited) Hello Slick All you need is to place on order on the tamiya parts mentionning the ref at rainbowten it takes them 3 days to receive it and and another 3 days to reach your home I think So in about a week you can rework on it ;) Edited January 19, 2009 by Ghostkiller Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Eastern Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 SLICK Great build so far! A real piece of art! Very nice finish, wearing and marking choice. The canopy seems was cracked being hit by some enimy shell? Cheers! Alexander. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
slick95 Posted January 20, 2009 Author Share Posted January 20, 2009 Thanks all for the comments. Thanks again Ghost Killer for the Rainbow Ten idea. I searched the forums and found that they seem to be the popular place to go. I have sent an email for a parts inquiry. Hopefully the canopy will be on the way soon! SLICK Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tomthegrom Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Awesome tomcat bro! The 06 on the flaps might be correct. Not all tomcat has the full modex there just the last two digits of it. old schoool lions are cool! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Marcel111 Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Nice Cat!! Marcel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
slick95 Posted February 10, 2009 Author Share Posted February 10, 2009 ***THIS JUST IN!! THE CANADIANS HAVE SAVED THE DAY!!!*** The new kit...yes it took an entirely new kit...from what I believe is the oldest boxing of the Tamiya 1/32 Tomcat has just come in! It took a long time looking for kits on ebay and waiting on the mail from Canada, but it is finally here and the project can now be finished! The new kit is pretty neat and I may even build it for myself at some point. It has Jolly Rogers, Iranian Cat, and Checkmates decals. SLICK Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aggressor Supporter Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 Nice work on the Tomcat so far. Like the markings. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
slick95 Posted February 11, 2009 Author Share Posted February 11, 2009 Thanks! I should be able to start on the canopy tonight. Hopefully post some update pics. SLICK Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Marcel111 Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 Nice cat... and congrats on making your own decals, they came out looking very convincing! Marcel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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