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A-10 Thunderbolt II 3D Decal Sets (for Italeri & Hobby Boss) 1:48


Mike

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A-10 Thunderbolt II 3D Decal Sets (for Italeri & Hobby Boss)

1:48 Quinta Studios

 

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When Quinta’s innovative products first came to our attention, they caused quite a stir, as well they should.  The replacement Instrument Panels and internal details are mind-boggling to look at, because we’re used to seeing simplified styrene instrument panels, or Photo-Etch Brass panels with either two layers of etch, or laminated parts that can be tricky to glue together, even though they are pre-painted for your ease.  But decals?  These aren’t your run-of-the-mill decals though, they’re 3D printed in many layers and colours on a flat carrier film, having as much in the way of elevation as is needed to complete a realistic panel printed in the correct colours, complete with shiny dial faces and metallic-effect hardware, and often including cushions and seat belts in the set.

 

Each set arrives in a Ziploc bag with a folded instruction booklet protecting the decals, which are also separately bagged, so they should reach you in good condition.  The pictorial instructions are printed on glossy paper, and are shown in full colour as befits the awesomeness of the sets, showing exactly where each part should go on the actual model, so there’s no confusion due to the “pictures speak a thousand words” maxim.  Additional hints and instructions are also included, marking out parts needing bases, kit parts that are used or replaced and other useful tips.  The technical instructions in the text-based, giving additional tips to the new user about maximising adhesion and preventing lift at the edges by wicking in super glue.

 

Although you are advised to use Super Glue (CA) to attach the decals to the surface permanently, preparation is much the same as your standard decal, but you will need to remove any raised detail that would be underneath the location depicted in the instructions, and some new parts will need small backing panels or bases on which to apply the decal.  A slim piece of sheet styrene would perform that task, and painting the edges a matching colour should minimise its appearance or turn it completely invisible.

 

We have four A-10 sets in for review that have been designed for the Hobby Boss and Italeri kits, or are suitable for all 1:48 Warthogs.  Each one is available separately, and adds a huge amount to each of their intended kits in the usual Quinta style.

 

A-10A Interior 3D Decal (QD48143 for Hobby Boss)

Patterned for the Hobby Boss kit, this set comprises two sheets of decals, containing a superb instrument panel with additional instruments on the edges of the coaming, side consoles, more instruments in the windscreen hoop area, grey quilted insulation on the sidewalls, levers and a full set of seatbelts for the pilot’s convenience and safety, plus cushions for his dainty rear end.

 

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A-10 Formation/Slime Lights 3D Decal (QP48012 for all A-10 kits)

Consisting of one sheet, this smaller, inexpensive set includes a full set of slime lights that are used as formation guides for their fellow aviators when not over enemy lines.  There are a surprisingly large number of these in addition to the usual fuselage and tail sides.  There are wingtip inverted T-shaped, twin fuselage lights between the rudders, and fuselage-top chevrons behind the cockpit.

 

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A-10 Exterior 3D Decal (QP48011 for Italeri)

This set is made up from three sheets of varying sizes, which includes a number of exterior details that may not be present on your model, and even if they are, they’re probably not up to the quality, shine (where appropriate) and sharpness of these decals, and some of the kit lumps may even have to be sacrificed during seam sanding.  As well as a full sheet of crew ladder door artwork for the interior, there are a large number of sensor blisters for under and on the nose, on the wingtips, on the horizontal tail, and behind the cockpit.  There are also a couple of decals for the flip-down refuelling flap in the nose of one of the main landing gear sponsons.   For the artwork often found inside the access ladder door, you have a choice of six colourful options, all of which have any internal details included in the printing, so they’re not just flat sheets.  Don’t forget you’ll also need to get hold of suitable decals to match your chosen door artwork.

 

Although these decals are patterned for the Italeri kits, most of them would work just as well with any of the other brands out there, with the possible exception of the ladder’s door.

 

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Yes, it’s the same picture as the one above.

 

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A-10C 3D Decals (QD48196 for Italeri)

This two-sheet set is designed for the Italeri kit, and the first task is to adapt the instrument panel shape to better reflect the real thing in preparation for the new decals.  The sides of the coaming are removed, and the lower centre section is flattened so that it is a single angle (rather than two), while the remains of the coaming overhang have three notches that are filled to make the area smooth.  As well as the gorgeous instrument panel and coaming edge instruments, there are side consoles with levers and ancillary sections, a set of grey quilted insulation panels on the sidewalls, small instruments in the hoop of the windscreen, and a full set of crew belts, pull handles for the ejection mechanism, cushions, and even a large RBF tag that dangles from under the headbox.

 

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Conclusion

Each of these sets is incredible in isolation, but as part of a suite they will look even more impressive on a completed model.  The pictures of the infinitesimal switches, dials, glossy MFDs, quilting on the sidewalls and overall impressive crispness of the sets speaks volumes.  Every cockpit with Quinta sets really needs a crystal-clear or opened canopy to show off the details, while the exterior sets should be very visible.

 

Very highly recommended.

 

Review sample courtesy of

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