PE, decal. or hand paint - preference for gauge panel

boatdetective

What do you prefer?  What are the pros and cons?

 

normally I use the decalls that come with the kit.

recently I finished my tamiya Bf109 E4 1/48, the decalls simply didn’t fit so I drybrushed aluminium on the instrument panel. Here are the results:

fermis

It really depends.

I enjoy hand painting them, but I also really like the pre painted PE. I'll rarely ever use a decal, more often than not, they're pretty silly looking. Another option...IP's from Yahu. These are cheaper than PE (but all you're getting is the IP). I haven't put one in a plane yet, but I have purchased at least a dozen, and stashed em in with their respective kits. These look amazing...I'd say even better than Eduards PE.

http://yahumodels.siemianowice.com/

 

Thanks Fermis for the link, those look amazing!! i will be getting a few soon.

For me it depends on the model, level of manufacturer detail, etc. 

I use whatever comes in the box. If the detail is raised then I'll highlight with colored pencil or drybrush, and skip any decals.

I must say it all depends on kit details and scale. Colored PE tend to be off in terms of shade, which you can get away with sometimes. Lately, especially in 1/48 scale, I've been using Airscale individual decals. A bit more work, but I like the result.

My first choice would always be PE, pre coloured if possable, but bearing in mind the issue Greg points out. In Some Eduard German sets the RLM 66 can be off. I am not a fan of decals in general, thoug there are exceptions, the Fine Molds Me 410 i am building being one of them. I do find painting the smaller details in 72nd pits tricky, and depending on the subject, these are somtime visible and stand out if missing.

I’m with Fermis on this one. I prefer to get Yahu brand IPs whenever possible if available for the subject I’m building. Otherwise, I paint them. Instrument panel decals.... not crazy about them. PE panels? Not crazy about those either.

Depends on scale.  For 1:72 I just paint panel flat black (or whatever color it is supposed to be) and then paint the instrument faces gloss black (simulates cover glass).  For 1:48 and 1:32 I go to more effort.  If there is a panel decal, I make a sandwich.  I will even make my own panel decal.  I have little images of various instruments in a folder.  I will scan panel piece to get layout, paste images from file to make an instrument decal.  Then I will drill out the instruments on the panel.   I put the decal I made on a piece of white styrene, then sandwich that piece behind drilled out kit panel.

My choice of how I build my cockpits very much depends on the actual kit design of that area and what is available on the market.

For example:

HK Models' new Lancaster in 1/32 scale. There is much visibility into this area. Through the canopy and I took the opportunity to get Airscale models' instrument set at Telford last year. On examination this is unpainted etch with decals to add which means that there is going to be a lot of extra work just on this with priming, painting putting on the decal sections and making them conform to the etched panels etc.

Eduards upcoming set for the Lancaster cockpit is a much more comprehensive pre painted and easier to use set (careful with the superglue, no accidents or bad language chaps!) that will give superior results in this case. I was hoping they would use their new "LOOK" range on this set, but they have decided to go with the tried and tested way for this.

I have used all 3 methods you put in your title on one cockpit and a mixture of methods should be considered to get the best effect and this depends on the following factors

1. Cockpit design.

2. Once everything is closed up just what can be seen.

3. What is available on the market

4. How much work do you want or need to do to get the result you are wanting.

5. Make a plan, factor in some leeway and stick to it!

It really depends.

I enjoy hand painting them, but I also really like the pre painted PE. I'll rarely ever use a decal, more often than not, they're pretty silly looking. Another option...IP's from Yahu. These are cheaper than PE (but all you're getting is the IP). I haven't put one in a plane yet, but I have purchased at least a dozen, and stashed em in with their respective kits. These look amazing...I'd say even better than Eduards PE.

http://yahumodels.siemianowice.com/

I've tried all those methods over the years with great success, and I must admit I enjoy the convenience of PE panels.

But be aware that, with the 'pre-colored' versions, the manufacturers' color choices are sometimes odd or just plain wrong. It just depends on what level of accuracy you want to build to, whether to leave 'em be or touch them up.

Cheers

Just started with the instrument decals and they are nice (airscale).  I've always like hand painting.  I bought my first preprinted pe cockpit parts for a T28B I'm building and in not really a fan.  Lots of detail, but something just doesn't look right  

Hand painted with air scale instrument decals on my wildcat

Prepainted PE on the T28B