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Source for Decals of White-Outlined Serial Letters/Numbers???


mhaselden

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Hi Folks,

 

Are there any decals out there providing white-outlined serial letters/numbers for use on the rudder of WW1 British aircraft?  I have a great subject I'd like to build but the pesky rudder serials have white outlines and I have no clue how to replicate them.

 

Any suggestions from the WWI cognoscenti out there?

 

Many thanks,
Mark

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The problem is that there was virtually no standardisation in relation to these so the amount of styles and sizing is huge, even within the same aircraft type. For example if you look at the SE5a there are numerous styles and sizes but there were some similarities within some batch numbers. So knowing the subject would help.

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Yeah, I'm aware of the variability in markings.  To be honest, I'd just like to get pretty close to the actual appearance of the aircraft..  The aircraft I'm trying to model is at Post #22 of this thread about 11 Sqn Brisfits showing an image of E2586:

 

https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235026886-11-sqn-brisfit-markings-sep-nov-1918/&

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3 minutes ago, mhaselden said:

Yeah, I'm aware of the variability in markings.  To be honest, I'd just like to get pretty close to the actual appearance of the aircraft..  The aircraft I'm trying to model is at Post #22 of this thread about 11 Sqn Brisfits showing an image of E2586:

 

https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235026886-11-sqn-brisfit-markings-sep-nov-1918/&

 

Pegasus used to do a sheet I think which might be worth looking up.

 

Otherwise you might have to use numbers as close as possible from one of the myriad WWII serial sheets and add the white outline. I've seen it done in the past with a specialised fine tipped "paint pen" from an artist supplies shop. So that could be a go if you've got a steady hand and some patience to practice first.

 

You could of course get in touch with someone with an ALPS printer to make you some. Maybe a request here in the relevant section?

 

Lovely project BTW of doing a relative's aircraft!

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Thanks Smithy.  Yeah...I didn't even know I had a relative who was a fighter pilot until I did some digging into my family tree.  Fascinating what you can find as you go back through the generations.

 

Thanks for the ideas for how to locate the serial numbers.  I'll have to think on it for a while and see if any inspiration strikes. :)

 

Cheers,
Mark

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7 minutes ago, Smithy said:

 

Pegasus used to do a sheet I think which might be worth looking up. 

 

 

Unfortunately they're not currently in print at Freightdog. No stocks left at Hannants either. Very useful, but they are 1/'72nd only, so not much use in this case anyway...................

 

Paul.

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Well that's that out then with the Pegasus idea.

 

By the sounds it's going to have to be the do it yourself route using black serial numbers from an aftermarket sheet of a similar size and font, and then adding the white outline...

 

or

 

Getting someone with an ALPS to print them for you.

 

You could try and obtain the relevant letters and numbers as bits and bobs from other kits' decals but I fear the sheer breadth of difference in styles and sizes might mean that they would look very out of kilter when put together.

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Hi,

 

You could try Fantasy printshop - i bought 1/72 version from them last October.

 

Link to 1/48 version: https://www.fantasyprintshop.co.uk/shop/pegasus-48-001-rfc-rnas-ww1-serials/

 

I think you layer the white and black serials to create the white outline, you'll see that some of the white characters are wider than the others to facilitate this. 

 

Bal

Edited by Balbir
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6 hours ago, mhaselden said:

Hi Folks,

 

Are there any decals out there providing white-outlined serial letters/numbers for use on the rudder of WW1 British aircraft?  I have a great subject I'd like to build but the pesky rudder serials have white outlines and I have no clue how to replicate them.

 

Any suggestions from the WWI cognoscenti out there?

 

Many thanks,
Mark

Check out Hannants, Ventura sheets VA4898 8" RAF & Commonwealth serials 1919-1939 & VA7287 ditto.

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afair Fantasyprint does Luftwaffe white outline numbers and separate coloured numbers which can be overlaid to give white outlined numbers. Luftwaffe number style is not too far different to most RAF styles

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9 hours ago, Balbir said:

Hi,

 

You could try Fantasy printshop - i bought 1/72 version from them last October.

 

Link to 1/48 version: https://www.fantasyprintshop.co.uk/shop/pegasus-48-001-rfc-rnas-ww1-serials/

 

I think you layer the white and black serials to create the white outline, you'll see that some of the white characters are wider than the others to facilitate this. 

 

Bal

 

That would be my first choice and many thanks for posting that this sheet is still available. I'd remembered having seen it a few years back so it's good to see that it's still around.

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  • 4 weeks later...

An alternative would be Ventura sheet V4898, British 8 inch serials 1920-1939.  White outlined numerals, unfortunately the letters are K and J.

 

 

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11 hours ago, jimmaas said:

An alternative would be Ventura sheet V4898, British 8 inch serials 1920-1939.  White outlined numerals, unfortunately the letters are K and J.

 

 

see post no. 11

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On ‎2‎/‎7‎/‎2019 at 11:53 PM, spaddad said:

Check out Hannants, Ventura sheets VA4898 8" RAF & Commonwealth serials 1919-1939 & VA7287 ditto.

Just taken delivery of VA7287 and think it's excellent value.  Full of numerals, both outlined and not, in a range of styles, widths and stroke widths.  But, as @jimmaas has pointed out, the only plain letters are J, K and N and the only outlined letters K and N, which is a bit of a killer against OP's original requirement.  But the sheet is still very useful for the first 10000 British military aircraft.

Edited by Seahawk
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On ‎2‎/‎7‎/‎2019 at 11:43 PM, Balbir said:

Hi,

 

You could try Fantasy printshop - i bought 1/72 version from them last October.

 

Link to 1/48 version: https://www.fantasyprintshop.co.uk/shop/pegasus-48-001-rfc-rnas-ww1-serials/

 

I think you layer the white and black serials to create the white outline, you'll see that some of the white characters are wider than the others to facilitate this. 

 

Bal

 

Thanks Bal.  It sounds a wee bit fiddly but that looks like a good solution to my problem.

 

 

On ‎3‎/‎4‎/‎2019 at 1:33 AM, jimmaas said:

An alternative would be Ventura sheet V4898, British 8 inch serials 1920-1939.  White outlined numerals, unfortunately the letters are K and J.

 

 

 

Hi Jim.  Long time no speak.  I owe you an email to update you on all our "happenings".  Appreciate the recommendation but the lack of letters make it a trickier option than the Fantasy Printshop option.

 

Kind regards,
Mark 

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