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Decals for VP-40 P-3C Orion

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  • Member since
    October 2018
Decals for VP-40 P-3C Orion
Posted by Jimd0586 on Wednesday, December 5, 2018 9:00 AM

Good morning all. A friend asked me to make a model of her old squadron's P-3C Orion, the Fighting Marlins. I bought the 1/72 Hasegawa kit (k-15) off ebay and it is currently on it's way. I showed her the pic on the box and asked if this was her aircraft. She mentioned the aircraft number was incorrect (fairly easy fix) but that the tail emblem of the fighting marlin has changed. It is no longer the marlin that is included in the kit. Any suggestions on what to do? Is there a more up to date decal set for VP-40? I couldn't find one anywhere. Anyone have any experience with custom emblems?

 

Thanks all.

 

- Jim

  • Member since
    August 2013
  • From: Michigan
Posted by Straycat1911 on Wednesday, December 5, 2018 9:23 AM

IF she can provide you with good pictures of the updated artwork, trace the outline of the tail on paper to give him a size reference and get hold of Thomas Logan at Speedwaydecals.com. 

He does custom decals (mainly for cars) but he’s done a couple aircraft items for me and they came out beautiful. Expect to pay somewhere around $35-$40 for his work. 

  • Member since
    October 2018
Posted by Jimd0586 on Wednesday, December 5, 2018 10:09 AM

Thanks Straycat1911. I will look into that. The best I can do right now is provide the following link to a pic of what the tail emblem now looks like:

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/31292545@N07/43459571611

 

Not sure how I will get that any bigger and more detailed for a custom decal.

 

  • Member since
    October 2018
Posted by Jimd0586 on Wednesday, December 5, 2018 10:13 AM
Thomas Logan is no longer taking custom decal orders. :(
  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Wednesday, December 5, 2018 10:29 AM

Sometimes it works to contact the VP-40 veterans group and ask online. There are always

history buffs in squadron groups.

https://www.vp40.navy.mil/

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    October 2018
Posted by Jimd0586 on Wednesday, December 5, 2018 10:58 AM

Thanks for the suggestion. I emailed the Webmaster. Maybe, just maybe... I will get something positive back.

 

My luck they changed the emblem just as my friend joined the Navy and the kit was issued prior to the change! I may need to print one out myself. I have printed out decals but never made them. Anyone know what computer program works best for that?

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Towson MD
Posted by gregbale on Wednesday, December 5, 2018 5:55 PM

Jimd0586
I have printed out decals but never made them. Anyone know what computer program works best for that?

I've done projects like this for years with nothing fancier than MS-Paint. As long as you can start with a good clear image, pretty much any graphics or art program should do the job.

Good luck!

 

Greg

George Lewis:

"Every time you correct me on my grammar I love you a little fewer."
 
  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Sunday, December 9, 2018 6:45 AM

You could try an inkjet decal.  Because that emblem has white in it, it is a challenge for an inkjet decal but not impossible.  You would have to make two decals and layer them, Fred Cady style.  At worse you ruin parts of two sheets of decal paper.

In order to get a better result I think you would need a bigger, higher res photo.  Try a google image search using squadron ID and word "logo".  Then print  copies, some on white decal paper, one on clear.  Make extra copies on each paper for spares.  The copies of white decals need to be cut out exactly (one reason for extra) because the decal film is white.  The clear decal does not need to be cut so exact, since it will have clear film.

Apply a white decal first.  Let it dry thoroughly, then apply a clear one in perfect register.  Of course you need to gloss the decal area before any decal to avoid silvering.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Wednesday, December 12, 2018 7:48 PM

I wanted to add one thing, now that I am back on.

A technique I like to do is to mask an area that matches the detail, making a piece of tape the right size and applying it over white paint where the decal will go. It's easier than it sounds. Once you get your art, print it on paper and cut a mask out of a piece of tape. It doesn't have to be really exact, and if it is a tad smaller, the better. Paint the Gull Gray or whatever the airframe is, then remove the mask and apply a color-printed-on-clear decal.

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

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