New Builder wrote on Apr 10^th, 2023 at 5:40am:


This Gilmore Lion stuff came from a paper model ad that I found on the 'net. Lucky find!

Otherwise, I'll do google searches for a specific airplane model or decal set. If I find a picture, I can take a screenshot and then use it to make the tissue decals. A photo editing app such as Paint Shop Pro is useful in fine-tuning the appearance of the decal.

It's pretty much a coin toss. Sometimes I find something useful, sometimes not. This is the Gilmore Lion paper model ad:

Absolutely stunning!!!  She'll be a knock out when you get her all together!!!

New Builder wrote on Apr 10^th, 2023 at 5:40am:


All of the tissue was applied using a regular purple glue stick. The wing, stab, and rudder trim was cut from red tissue. Once the red trim was on, I used Paint Shop Pro to adjust the color of how the printed lettering matched the color of the red trim. I printed the lettering on regular white tissue. If the tissue has a dull side, I print on that side. After drying, I may "chalk" the printed side with PanPastel or a Prismacolor pencil to accentuate the colors if needed.

Each letter was applied separately after close trimming with a scalpel. The glue stick was used to get each piece into the proper position, and then I let the thing dry. Once dry, I then glued down any remaining part or edge that needed attaching using a small brush and a slurry made from dissolving a piece of glue stick in alcohol. The alcohol does not affect the ink.

Sometimes, I use a diluted mix of Aleens Tacky Glue and water to attach tissue to rounded surfaces like the cowling or wing tips. Be careful since some tissue loses its strength when wet. I rub the tissue with a smooth hard object (like a Sharpie pen) to blend the tissue edges together and form the tissue over the contours to achieve a smooth surface. MKelly is an expert at this.

Progress report. Coming along with the tissue decals and assorted bits.

From what you say, the smudging is definitely because the tissue is not adhering to the carrier paper, and is brushing against the print heads. You might consider either a slightly heavier spray of adhesive, or perhaps heating the spray can in hot water and giving it a good shake before applying, or going for a new can of adhesive spray.
YMMV  ian

Very nice work AK and particularly like he choice of eras. you are right there are a lot of beautiful aircraft in that time frame to model and is why I decided to stick with the older civilian aircraft. Also a great idea adding the removable wing, very clever with the tube and paper clip arrangement. Chasing colors is always a challenge and agree with Kittyfritters in using acrylic ink. My go to is Dr. Ph. Martins India ink, very transparent and airbrush ready, huge array of colors. For a bit more opacity I use Liquitex acrylic ink also in a wide array of colors.  Really looking forward to the final details.
Mike

Slow but steady progress. I'm at the tissue decal stage, have the large red areas done and am working on the other markings. My HP8600 hasn't been cooperative, leaving black ink smudges on the tissue and I haven't found a fix. So I used my wife's Canon and the result was not too shabby.

Once I get the decals on, I'll mount the wing and finish off the fiddly bits. Hopefully, it will look something like this.

I wasn't happy with the darker color and so I sprayed a coat or two of acrylic. I found a bottle of something called "Butter Cream" in the paint section of Michaels (or Hobby Lobby), a basic cheap acrylic for artists. Definitely not the expensive modeler's acrylic like Vallejo or Model Master...but it thinned with water and sprayed evenly. Close enough for what passes for gov't work these days.