On the question of the leaping tiger decals...
They were not water-slides... and they were not self-adhering 'stick-ons' either.
Here's a quote from
a thread on the old Flying Tigers / AVG forums which explains things very nicely:
Quote:
The Osprey book "American Volunteer Group Colors and Markings" is an excellent source of information. They are however, wrong on one aspect of the decals. They stated correctly that they were not water slide decals. They were produced in right and left hand versions for each side of the aircraft. They are correct in that the tiger and the "V" shape wern't connected. The sideways "V" was rarely used on the aircraft. They were however NOT stick on decals. They did have a thin paper layer over the back or reverse side of the decal. A layer of laquer was to be painted on the aircraft and let set until tacky. Then the thin sheet of sticky protective paper was removed from the back of the decal and the decal pressed onto the tacky laquer. It was pressed and smoothed out flat. After drying, the layer of paper on the face of the decal was removed with water disolving the paper and then the decal dried and another layer of laquer was put over the top. I got this info off the back of an un-used AVG decal. I have one that has been mounted on painted masonite by an AVG member, who, so far, is unknown. There is a matching reverse mate to mine that was done at the same time owned by another collector. Hope this helps clear up a few of the unanswered questions.
Richard Peacher
Fade to Black...