Academy decals-is it me.....?

gbritnell, I know just what you mean. I try to avoid certain kits because of build or decal problems. But sometimes I see somrthing that I really want to build-so I buy the kit and throw the decal sheets away. What a waste!
I agree with you that some companies have gotten lazy and don't bother with improvements anymore so this is helping the aftermarket guys . But why should I spend £15.00 on a kit and then shell out another £8.00 for decent decals?
Your quite right, there's no reason why we should put up with this. So from now on I'll be voting with my wallet.

Darren.

I built an Academy F86 Sabre and the decals were terrible. I couldn't get them to soften no matter what kind of solvent I used and I tried Future as an underbase and also when applying them but they still silvered. The bigger problem is aftermarket decals. Let me explain. Years back when we bought a model kit and it had bad features ( details, sink marks, decals etc.) we wouldn't buy from that manufacturer again. (possibly) But now there are so many aftermarket suppliers for cockpits, decals etc. that we buy a kit that's not so good and then spend as much if not more on aftermarket parts to bring it up to snuff. Don't get me wrong, I think the aftermarket is a wonderful thing but I don't think the kit companies are forced into improving when we just work around them. I also subscribe to Aircraft Resource Center and reading the reviews everyday and hearing what the modeling community says repeatedly of kits and even aftermarket parts it's a wonder that some suppliers are still in business. I'll get off my soapbox now but as a final note, with all the great kits and decals out there there's no reason to put up with junk. Don't these companies try out their own products?
gbritnell

Hobbycraft decals are no better :( I am building the I-16 and it takes forever for the glue to dissolve from the decal sheet so you can slide it off....and I have had two of my red stars split in half just from the sliding. Too freaking fragile.....