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Re: Various aircraft kit AM decals ...

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  • Member since
    May 2011
Posted by pygarus on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 1:24 AM

Hello all:

Haven't posted here for awhile, as I've about given up on locating the missing instructions to my old (re-issued) MONOGRAM 1/48 scale P-51B Mustang "Ding Hao!" kit via another forum thread here. In the meantime, I've acquired quite a few other models (don't we all?), almost all through Ebay, some older, some newer, that I'd like to get after-market decals for.

First off: has anyone had much luck with Mike Grant's decal sets? I actually bought his very last (or so he's told me), personal set of 1/48 scale Convair B-58 Hustler variant markings for the ever-popular MGM/REVELL kit(s), and am presently waiting on their delivery along with a copy of his (more comprehensive) decals for the "Ding Hao!". I was tipped off to their "O.O.P." status by an identical set selling recently on Ebay, for a premium, of course. In the meantime, I've won a recent version of MGM's 1/48 scale PBY-5 Catalina kit, and have been thinking about rendering it as a replica of VICE ADMR. JOHN S. McCAIN's (grandfather of our current U.S. SENATOR JOHN L. McCAIN) personal command aircraft. Or, would that simply be a matter of somehow duping/painting his name & rank on one (both?) sides of the fuselage, after rendering the entire plane in the standard WWII USN South Pacific blue &  the kit's circular-star insignia? I'd also like to eventually build MGM's same-scale "Black Cat" Catalina night-bomber as a companion piece.

Also, I've been tearing my hair (what's left of it, lol) out Super Angry over procuring several sets of 1/48 scale Lockheed U-2C/R/TR1-A spy plane variants - in particular, Francis Gary Powers' ill-fated 1960 U2 that was shot down over the former Soviet Union, causing such an uproar way back when. Plus, does anyone know if the Air Force, CIA, or other agency(s) ever used the late cartoonist MILTON CANIFF's (of "Terry & the Pirates" & "Steve Canyon" fame) original art for the "Dragon Lady" theme as these fascinating aircraft were apparently nickname by their pilots & crews? It seems inconceivable that someone, somewhere, didn't get permisson to put her on the high vertical rudder on this sizeable craft, as an homage to Mr. Caniff, as he practically invented the phrase to begin with. Being able to custom-make your own would be ultra-cool, even if it didn't depict markings from an existing squadron. It seems that the now-extant CUTTING EDGE products were the only after-market decals/detailing kits (would LOVE several of them as well) ever manufactured for the HAWK/TESTORS/ITALERI kits, and whenever one or more of them turn up on Ebay, they almost immediately get bid up into the stratosphere, usually by "collectors" (the BANE of my existence as a practicing modeler!! Ick!), so that they can salt them away for another eon or so, w/out ever making use of same themselves. And, they (the items) seem to be getting scarcer, even there, all the time ...

Lastly (not really, but I hate to run on), I'd like to find some reliable, accurate, 1/32 scale markings for either the Cold War Era (i.e., '50's/60's) Czech or Soviet Russian state aerobatic teams MiG-15's, for use with either the TAMIYA or TRUMPETER/HOBBY BOSS MiG kits. And, for bonus points - lol - where could I find 1/48th scale AM markings for MGM's vintage "Panchito" B-25J Mitchell bomber kit? I've seen the replica of this plane on the local airshow circuit, and while the kit has the Pistolero Parrot nose art on only one side of the fuselage (as on the actual, wartime aircraft, I'd assume?), the current one has him on both sides - I've got pics to prove it!

OK - many, many thanks to any/all who'd care to respond to these inquiries with any solid leads! Cool

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    May 2011
Posted by pygarus on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 7:21 PM

Hello?

Anybody out here? Huh? Some of you at least took the time to read this; any replies at all? Too difficult a topic/request, or - any thoughts on this subject at all? Indifferent  Is it because I'm a "newbie", haven't had the chance to post an avatar/photo or clever saying(s) on my profile yet, or what, exactly? HELLO?

 

  • Member since
    March 2010
  • From: New Zealand
Posted by Scorpiomikey on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 7:28 PM

I think its more the fact that noone whos read it knows, either that or its because most of us are visual people and cant be bothered reading long posts without pictures of whats going on. (thats me anyway)

From what i gathers your after decals for certain aircraft.

Start with these.

http://www.hannants.co.uk/

http://www.squadron.com/

http://www.hobbyeasy.com/

If still no joy, google searching them might help or give you an indication of where they were last time they were available if they exist at all.

The other problem might be no-one actually saw this. I didnt see it till today.

"I am a leaf on the wind, watch how i soar"

Recite the litanies, fire up the Gellar field, a poo storm is coming Hmm 

My signature

Check out my blog here.

  • Member since
    May 2011
Posted by pygarus on Thursday, February 23, 2012 1:29 AM

Hey, mate! Smile

Thanks for the reply; I didn't mean to sound like I was sulking here. Embarrassed You're probably right, these are pretty tough nuts to crack - that is, finding alternate sources for decals for such esoteric model subjects. I'm a highly visual person myself, and don't have any reference photos readily at hand & archived, save for this one:

 

It's a smaller, die-cast replica of VICE ADMIRAL McCAIN's personal PBY-5A Catalina, just thought it might make a fairly easy variant for the MGM 1/48 scale Catalina kit. Otherwise, even a post-war, small airline/civilian aircraft would be another choice, if the decals could be had. I know the U-2's are problematic, unless you can quickly beat the others to the punch on Ebay, whenever they do pop up again. Thanks for the links; I have bookmarked some of the others that were posted here previously as well. Just is going to take some doing to check them all out.

Oh, and - the Mike Grant sets just arrived in the post yesterday; they look quite professional and accurate. Will try & keep you informed on how they go, along with filling out my profile here more. Thanks again cheers!Big Smile

 

  • Member since
    March 2010
  • From: New Zealand
Posted by Scorpiomikey on Thursday, February 23, 2012 1:36 PM

The other option is to make the decals yourself.

"I am a leaf on the wind, watch how i soar"

Recite the litanies, fire up the Gellar field, a poo storm is coming Hmm 

My signature

Check out my blog here.

  • Member since
    January 2012
  • From: Barrie, Ontario
Posted by Cdn Colin on Saturday, March 10, 2012 7:24 AM

Are you just looking for the assembly instructions?  I abandonned a Monogram P-51 years ago and may still have the instructions up at my parents'.  I'll check tomorrow.

 

I build 1/48 scale WW2 fighters.

Have fun.

  • Member since
    October 2011
  • From: Northern Illinois
Posted by OldFart on Saturday, March 10, 2012 2:03 PM

Hey, Pygarus...

If you find decals for Panchito, please let me know where. I shoulda bought that kit years ago and things didn't work out. Now I'm kicking myself because they don't seem to be available anywhere.

Thanks for any help...

  • Member since
    May 2011
Posted by pygarus on Saturday, March 10, 2012 4:49 PM

Hey,

Yes, I've done the same - looked pretty much everywhere else as a means of tracking down the extra "Panchito" decal for both sides of MONOGRAM's old B-25J model, with no luck. My back-up plan was always to get an extra copy of the kit (I own three currently, two factory sealed, one open, but complete - my main "builder' kit), as they're still occasionally available on Ebay. So, that's what I've done. I can always build the extra copy(s) as either the optional Navy PBJ ("peanut butter & jelly"? LOLWink) 1J version, or an RAF/Royal Dutch AF/Polish AF B-25. If I ever do run across another "Panchito" markings source, I'll keep you in mind, though - thanks for your interest! Smile

  • Member since
    May 2011
Posted by pygarus on Saturday, March 10, 2012 5:08 PM

Hello!

Thanks for your reply; yes - I'm searching for the original assembly instructions for the MONOGRAM P-51B "Ding Hao" Mustang (either Catalog # PA136 6806 - the original issue; or #85-0136, the '90's re-issue). I'm intending on building the latter/re-issue, as I'd already built the original kit in the late '60's as a youth, and am pretty sure I won't have much trouble assembling the newer one by itself. I just like to have all possible reference materials on hand before I start, particularly with regard to both painting & decal placement, as I'm certain that this will be my last go-round in model building, especially where these old kits are concerned.

I do have at least one other, later, MGM Mustang kit - a P51D ("Detroit Miss") that I'm working on as well, with possibly aftermarket decals (i.e., "Double Trouble Two") for it. I have the instructions for that one, and I'm well aware of how many, MANY P-51 kits they & the other manufacturers have put out over the decadesTongue Tied; so, if the instructions you can find are of one of those others, then - I doubt they'll be of much use for the one I'd mentioned above, here.

By the way, I did get the Mike Grant update decals for both this kit, as well as the MONOGRAM B-58 Hustler a short while ago, and they appear to be top-notch. Can't wait to use them. Thanks again for your help!Cool

 

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