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BORT Number fonts?


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Thinking on trying to make some BORT number masks for a model I just recently aquired, anybody able to help with what font I should use?

Also, are there any good or cool decals available for various paint schemes for the Su-32/34 variants? I have seen one I liked, the same as the "Cow-Viper" and various others in that same mode.

Cheers

Harald

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There is no font. Each regiment painted it's own, either by hand or with a (probably home made) stencil. When you start looking closely, almost no two units were alike. Sizes were fairly consistent, but styles varied wildly.

The term "font" is a typographical term that doesn't apply in a case like this.

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No, the correct term is probably "typeface" since font originally means only one particular size, weight and style of a typeface, like "Universe Condensed Oblique 12pt".

Not an expert in typography nor BORT-numbers, but they often seem quite blocky and angular like old USAF serials, so you might want to check the typeface Amarillo USAF out. It´s free.

There are also font-detection services on the web where you can upload an image and get suggestions of matching typefaces, like this one: https://www.myfonts.com/WhatTheFont/

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Over the past few years, bort number application and style has become more and more consistent - with the advent of VVS legends and RF-serials in particular.

Nowadays, general style variations are largely manufacturer- or variant-specific. The times of "wildly varying" styles are gone.

It's a "geometrically constructed" typeface following a prescribed formal principle.

vvs_bort_style_zpsttiwzigd.png

Erik

Edited by Airfixer
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Agree with Jennings here - there is ZERO consistency to Soviet/Russian Bort numbers, particularly the farther back you go. If you look at photos of a MiG-15 or MiG-17, the styles and weights are all very different. About the only consistency is the heigh of the numbers, beyond that, zip. Each factory had its own style when the aircraft rolled out, but then could change when the aircraft went through maintenance at the regiment.

They have become more consistent of late (post 1975 or so) where they went more to the blocky style as shown by Airfixer above. But the sizes now have become more inconsistent.

If some enterprising decal company did an early set of Soviet Bort numbers, they'd probably do pretty well.... :whistle:

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Nice typeface comparison there, Erik. Nice name too. You must be very handsome and intelligent... ;-)

Do you have the rest of the numbers, and would you like to share? I dabble in 3d from time to time, and it would be nice to have.. I can give you a PDF with the SwAF numbers in exchange if you like :-)

/Erik G

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[...]

Nice name too. You must be very handsome and intelligent... ;-)

Do you have the rest of the numbers, and would you like to share? I dabble in 3d from time to time, and it would be nice to have.. I can give you a PDF with the SwAF numbers in exchange if you like :-)

[...]

Handsome? Intelligent? Well, I'd say I'm most notably "and". coolio.gif

They're in the making and I will gladly share them. Soon...

Erik

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Why THANKS Erik/Airfixer! I "Stole" the image, will send you a copy if I ever figure out how to make a cutfile!

To all others, thanks for input and help!

Cheers

Harald

Steal this and have fun. wink.gif

Su34_bort_red_zpsxlqtpzmk.jpg

@erik_g

Btw, which file format do you need? Pixel/vector graphics?

Cheers,

Erik

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