A Q about Decals

[chalkyw]

Hi,

Just been wondering about decals as they cross all genres of modelling....so my question is do we all take them out of the box and apply them to our models without thinking about it or do we question the accuracy of what's on offer?

A rivet counter question. no doubt, but in my AFV modelling ventures I am finding it harder to believe that the decals on offer from a kit are 100% accurate.....discuss

[Augustus]

When I bought my AFV Club Aussie Centurion I started to look around for colours. On my search I came across a discussion board which had a few people who had served in VietNam and apparently the decals for this model are totally wrong.

For me, accuracy is not the most important thing, I like the model to look good, but I can totally understand those who want things to be accurate.

[Stokesy44]

For me its the quality of the decals that are important. I sometimes buy after market sets due to quality issues. I think I've only replaced a decal set for the purpose of doing a different version once. I had the Airfix PR XIX Spit and the markings were post war. I wanted a war version so I replaced them.

I don't tend to rivet count, I've only got ten fingers see......

[Vleugelmoer]

Well I do like my models to be historically correct. I therefore often build to period photo's of the subject or diorama I'm building. As kits often offer a limited range of versions I'm aftermarket all the way. Even though those can be off register and or color inaccurate from batch to batch.. So as with the kits themselves research is needed to find the best option for the model and variant you want to portray.

As always happy modeling and keep sticking styrene.

Paul J (The Other One)

[digger303]

I do like my models to be accurate, but I don't go crazy over it. So I usually go with the decals supplied out of the box.

[chalkyw]

Thanks Gents, just something I've wondered about as building diorama's I always want to be specific if I can about what unit was around at the time of events I'm trying to depict. Also I see a lot of historic photos that show so much variation with markings that I've also wondered if the decals in a kit are generic approximations or based on fact.

[RobertK]

I tend to use the supplied decals and I'm not that concerned if they are 100% accurate. If they are bad quality or building a revell kit with no swaztikas, well, then I do something about it like aftermarket decals/stencils.

[schweinhund227]

I build Military kit....
everybody is in this hobby for various reasons....

I build models as if I were to present the finished kit to my father or Uncle that fought in a said conflict... cuz I respect their service... a little research won't kill you.

Some kits are old tooling and the manufacturers won't invest tons of money making them more accurate.... it makes them money and that's all they care for !

if you are in this hobby only to pass time? just enjoy yourself then...