Warbird Information Exchange

I've started building the reissue of the AMT Pro Shop Man in Space 5 rocket set in 1/200th scale. The REDSTONE is a might example @ 3 inches long X .3 inches in diameter and is covered in black optical tracking stripes, all pretty narrow. I hit 3 different well stocked hobby shops yesterday and none of them carry waterslide decals sheets of various width stripes. On line I find that SUPERSCALE offers stripes in just about every color EXCEPT black!(and why in heck would I want or need radome tan stripes?) and no one dare mention Squadron Shop either, I've had too many issues with them since they got bought out and wil not do business with them ever again.

I've done an on line search and I'm not having a lot of fun there either, anyone have a lead to makers of sheets of striping waterslide decals in black?

Is it just me, or does this seem like a no brainer that no one deals with any more? and NO! I AM NOT going to freehand or try to mask and paint them!

How about dry transfer e.g. Letraset? I think you can still get thin lines from them.

Also since they're black, they're the easiest kind to make yourself. I'd use a laser printer and laser printable clear decal film.

August

I've been considering a sheet of clear waterslide that I think I can pick up @ OFFICE DEPOT and a rattle can of flat black spray paint (cheaper than printer ink which is about $9000.00 a gallon!
I'm not so sure dry transfers would stay put or hold up to being clear coated.

I have used dry transfers a lot, no problems with adherence or clear coating but they can be difficult to apply to heavily textured surfaces. They used to be a common mass market alternative to water slide and still are popular in the electric train field.

I have not had a lot of luck painting decal sheet and then cutting thin strips. The paint tends to flake. If you can get access to a laser printer that would be the way I would go. Just make sure to order the decal sheet designed for laser printing. Anything else will fuse to the printer and make a maint guy angry.

August