Lockheed P-3 AEW Orion: USC&BP
ARII + Revell + Twelve Squared + custom decals

Glenn
Hi Dutch, I've heard there is some US Customs decals being done for P-3 Orions both in 1/144 and 1/72 scale I'll let you know when there being printed. They will be very short run laser printed (in reverse!) ??? you have to flip them over??? after soaking WTF??? I just brought 2 sheets with around 12 or more special RAAF P-3 schemes in 1/72 from this same guy 🙂

Dutch
Glenn, Is this the new DEKLs I've seen on eBay recently? I want to buy one of the RAAF sheets (P-3B) and the Argentine Armada ones. I just purchased Southern Eagles 1/144 Lockheed L-188 Electra & P-3B Orion for Armada Argentina directly from the owner, in person. Had to coordinate my schedule so I could drive to meet him on a layover. Nice guy. I am also looking for the old MS sheets for P-3 in 1/144. All USN subjects I think. See my wants list. But I will definitely go for two sets of USCS P-3 decals in 1/144, maybe one in 1/72. Would love to see Spain (old & new), Brazil, Chile (old & new), Portugal (old & new), Netherlands, Germany and New Zealand P-3 Orions, all in 1/144. Keep in touch.

Dutch
Printed in reverse you say? How does the glue work then? Does he print the decal and then "print" a layer of glue on them or just hope that the surface tension makes them stick and tell you to overspray with clear lacquer? Oh, I forgot NASA (P-3B) and NOAA schemes would be much appreciated as well. BTW, can you find a OzMods 1/144 C-2A Greyhound conversion? I can't locate one for the E-2 to C-2 conversion I plan after swapping the rotodome to the P-3 AEW.

Glenn
Hi Dutch, Yes, I had a conversation with Mr DEKL's brother (Roy from Southern Sky Models) the other day with a surprising answer....! Wait for it... I asked him about the reverse printing of the decals and how do you apply them if they have to be flipped over ( still can't understand the process?) I said that would leave the glue on the wrong side and how would they stick or what would happen if you try to blot them down with a tissue. (Note these decals are on a solid film not masked! so the glue would already be under the film)
And his answer was.... (quote) "No decals have any glue on them they only stick with surface tension!"
WHAT B.S. ! Then tell me why decals get stuck together if you leave sheets next to each other and they get slight dampness from humidity??? or why when you soak them what the hell is the milky glue is that dissolves into the water. I may never have manufactured decals before but i've been using them for over 35 years! Decals start out as paper coated with a water soluble glue that then has ink printed either directly over the glue or onto a carrier film that is either on the sheet (all over) before printing or added later by masking and spraying on only over the decal designs! FACT! I still concerned about applying these decals and will make sure i have some PVA wood glue handy to apply before flipping them over on the surface! My only guess why these are printed this way is to make it harder to copy the decal? I'll have a look for the C-2 conversion but the chap from OZmods is on scale mates so maybe you can just ask him.

Glenn
Hey Dutch just ask Greg Anderson on here from OzMods about the C-2 conversion, I'm sure he can help! cheers 🙂

Dutch
Glenn, Indeed, your summation about his "surface tension" explanation is probably correct. Either that or he or the decal printer screwed up and printed reverse copies and now he's stuck trying to sell them. In theory, it would make decal alignment & placement a little easier, though removal from the backing paper seems more troublesome. Hmmm... I would suggest children's white craft glue (Elmer's brand in US) instead of PVA wood glue if the "surface tension" theory fails, as it dries clear. I have used it one large scale canopies. It has the added advantages of filling small gaps as well, takes acrylic paint well and can be cleaned up with warm water and an ear swab. BTW, how are the RAAF decals from DEKL? They are not also reverse printed, are they? And thanks for the OzMods connection. I just found them on line and will order directly.

Glenn
Yes Dutch the RAAF decals are all printed in reverse! So there face down on the decal paper with the fine detail printed first then the background printed over so you can't see all the detail when you first look at them. But from what i can tell they are very finely printed BUT as we said that means the "non existent" glue we speak of is under the soild carrier film so they have to be cut out and FLIPPED OVER... before placing onto the surface!!!
Still not convinced about this method!!! Give me a few minutes and i'll try and add some photos of these very interesting decals... stay tuned... 😮

Glenn
Hi Dutch, I will add a new "album" in my profile with a photos showing the decal guides and the decals! The decals are the ones in reverse! Have a look! in a few minutes... 🙂

Michael Green
Surface tension? Like yelling at my model telling it that iit is not as good as the decals on it. This must be the surface tension he speaks of.

Glenn
That's cute! BUT I'm more worried about the TENSION they will cause me when i use them. 🙂

Michael Green
Seen your builds you have more than enough talent to handle them.!!

Dutch
Glenn, I purchased the 1/144 C-2A conversion direct from Greg @ OzMods. Hope to have it before Christmas.

Glenn
Hi Dutch, That's great that should look great. does it come with decals, He also does the 8 blade props too i think if you want to update it to current type. I'll keep you informed if i hear anything about the P-3 decals too! I've ordered 3D printed parts from a company called Shapeways for a Hasbro 29inch Millennium Falcon model i want to detail up and fit out with LED's and sound effects. I want to install a mp3 player and powered speakers too boost the engine sounds!

Dutch
Now that sound ambitious!

Glenn
I've just found a great little mp3 player that has a powered amp and inbuilt speaker in the shape of a pink ball (about the size of a cricket ball) has usb and a SD card slot as well as bluetooth input! I've brought a couple of these very cheap on a discount table pulled one apart so i can get the circuit board, speaker and Li-Po battery out of it so i can place it into the Falcon. I've also tried a larger 5 inch speaker thanks to a neighbors curbside collection! And it sounds great with some fantastic sound bytes i found of the engine sound from the Falcon real good sound byte not from a movie dub that plays for nearly 2 minutes starts with engine start up then lots of flyby passes that ends with the Falcon punching through Hyperspace! 🙂 (Only 2 more sleeps!) to go till The Force Awakens! 🙂