MultiCam Camo Decal

[Damocles]

I know that this subject may make many an experience modeller and painter disgusted, but after may failed attempts at recreating the US camouflage pattern 'MultiCam' by Crye Precision, and more recently the new UK 'Multiple Terrain Pattern' (very similar by same manufacturer). I decided to get a set of custom decals by Parkes Decals made to see if I could get the desired effect.

I have had a set of Crye MultiCam greens for 5 years, so am quite familiar with the pattern and was determined to recreate this scheme in 1/35.

I did a quick Google search, and found the best sample pattern available (admittedly it was not great, but short of contacting Crye themselves, I settled for what I could get). I then proceeded to amend the pattern (with two distinct sections, one darker than the other), and create a A4 jpeg for Paul at Parkes to print. I also took the opportunity to get some 'fictional' unit emblems also made up.

After a little over a week, the sheet arrived and I was well happy with what I received, a nice shiny A4 decal sheet, well packaged with three hand written instructions on post-it notes. The personal touch, just made the 'this is just for me' experience of getting custom decals made all the better.

I am assuming that I suffer from the affliction as many a modeller does, which can only be described as a little 'bi-polar', where by periods of patients and extreme care, excessive planning and attention to detail can be often be offset by impulsiveness and sheer 'I just got to get it out of the box and give it a wizz' !. Well I grabbed an unmade 1/35 MIG Productions U.S. Navy SEAL, I gave him a quick wash down while the hot water was cooling, and off I set.

Using Revell's 'Decal Soft' and a cotton-bud, I applied a small section to the lower right leg (unpainted beige resin base colour). as you can see the lack of a suitable base colour, leaves the decal looking very transparent and washed out, but at least I was on the road.

I then painted the upper leg with Vallejo Model Colour 'Stone Grey' as a base colour. Again, rushed but in the spirit of things, I was doing something on the road of discovery.

The pictures I have attached include my MultiCam greens and lid for reference, although the colour does not come through well at all, and some pictures of the lower and upper leg.

The decals are excellent, the Decal Soft worked a treat and with some trial and error with a suitable base colour, and a matt coat finish, this could work out well. (again many apologies to the painting fraternity out there, although the remainder of the figure will be hand painted, so I am not entirely going to the dark side. And many thanks to Paul at Parkes, highly recommended. (sorry some of the pictures are a bit out of focus, D-SLR will have to brought out next time).

Best Regards,

Chris.

[Mike]

Velly interesting

I used to skirmish in genuine Crye (material) Multicam combats (the fake material faded really badly), and found it very effective, even in British woodland. I've got a metre square of genuine MC ripstop material that I never used, so could scan sections of that until the repeat - it's an unusual pattern, because the base color consists of fades from one color to another rather than a flat color, but it's also a rather cool one. I understand that it was popular with US Special Forces, and has even been seen on British Special Forces from time to time.

It was a shame that MC lost out to ACU (or "I See You" as it was called in skirmishing circles), as outside the dusty urban or desert environment it seemed to stick out like a sore thumb whenever I saw it used. Still, at least the British Army will benefit from a useful bit of modern camo technology.

[Damocles]

Same here, used it for airsoft. Was lucky enough to get a full set from Crye (lovely helpful lady called Angelique from thier Brooklyn outlet) back in May 2005, a few month before it became real popular in the US SF community and they stopped selling to public. The 10th SFG and PJ's started using it about 3 or 4 years ago, but I believe ACU has been canned and has or is in the process of being issued to USSOCM, Rangers and then the green army.

If you go to the following page, there is a nice shot if the SFSG in recent times in MC http://www.eliteukforces.info/gallery/uksf...sg-multicam.php

I know the decals are a bit of a cop out, but have never been able to exaclty colour match and there is still quite a bit of effort needed to get these on, and plenty of trial and error to get the colours right.

If you wish, send me your email and I can send you a JPEG. I'm off on holidays on Saturday, so let me know before then if you would like it.

Chris.

[Damocles]

A quick update on the MultiCam Decals. After numerous test runs with different base colours I settled with the Vallejo Model Colour 'Stone Grey' as a base colour and using Revell's 'Decal Soft' with Vallejo Model Colour Matt Varnish i acheived the results shown next. Greens are a little too green, but will hopefully be able to correct this with a few washes. Again it is trial and error, but the decal does 'sink' into the detail, and keeps the shape of the clothing. Chris.

[Andrew March]

That's not bad at all,

I still skirmish every other Sunday, Crye have started selling to the public again after the massive demand calmed down a bit.

[Damocles]

Unfortunately I havn't been out in nearly a year, and a return is not looking likely anytime soon. Young family, and wife gone off on a change in career to be a midwife, hence my return to modelling. Chris.

[Mike]

As you say, the green's a little bright, but overall the effect is good. Incidentally, what scale is the figure? Those boots are rather well cast either way

[Damocles]

1/35 scale, HobbyFan Rangers. Sculpted wearing Crye Precission combat gear and Gen 1 Armour Chassis.

Chris.

[TonyT]

Once you give it a wash it will be spot on colour wise and look the bizz..... coming along nicely, looking fwd to seeing the Hummer with all that resin in it too..

[Damocles]

What do you recommend for the wash ?.

Stryker must be finished first, although I may start it off. Although focusing isn't helped by superb falcon builds and the like to distract the thought process !.

Chris.