[PappyB]

Hey all,

Today I received the Franklin Mint Royal Navy "Omega" Phantom, which is the good news.

The bad news is the decals are all stickers, rather than tampo, which I knew when I agreed to buy the model (for a very fair price).

The ugly news is the model arrived with the Omega decal completely torn off the left side of the stab (I think from having been packed and shipped veritcally -- up/down jostles likely worked the decal loose.). The right side decal is coming lose.. and the decals on most of the model are in pretty poor shape -- as in you can see the "clear" part very easily in all of them.

So, being as I got it from Canada and, for relative peanuts, considering what this model attracts (which I didn't know when I bought it), I wondering if I can somehow salvage it.

Anyone know of a stateside shop where I can get a replacement set of decals?

I found those at the bottom in a UK shop, but would like to avoide the time/shipping costs of that and get in the good ol' USA if anyone knows a supplier? I'm not well-versed in this and thus don't have any "honey holes" to troll in...

Help/suggestions from the repair experts appreciated -- I'd also like to know if there's anything I can do to make the decals less obviously decals, such as apply a set or something to make them blend into the dark RN paint better?

Too bad, as this is a gorgeous scheme.

It's a CDC original -- far as I know this scheme was never released with tampo graphics...?????





Look closely and you'll see a horizontal tear in this one...




Look at the small decal right in front of the intake and you'll see what I'm talking about with the clear portion of the decals being highly visible.





Oiye! Can a set of decals save this model???

[Shawn 507]

If you get replacement decals, remove the others, then wash the model with some windex. Once dry apply some future liquid polish via airbrush if you have it. Or you could use a cotton ball, I did on my DUGAN with good results. Let it dry complely as this will give a good smooth finish for the decal to adhere to. Then you can apply the decals and use some Micro-Set or Sol to get it to snug down good and tight. Once thats dry, you can seal it again with more Future.

[STARMAN 352ND]

That is why i stay away from Armour Franklin Mint models that have decals on them in the first place......
In the past i have taken the decals off by using tape ...Just put the tape over the decals and rip it off and the decal will come off..
After you get all that done i will use a Micro Sol solution to get the old decal flim that will sometimes stay on the model after the decals
come off...After that i will wash it down with dish soap and rinse it good and use a blow dryer to get the water out of the cracks and seams
of the model....Once all it dry i would pop off the canopy and spray it with Testors Gloss Cote so the decals can stick to the glossy surface (decals will not stick to a flat surface).
After all the decals are done on the Phantom you want to wait at least 24hrs before you spray Testors Dull Coat over the Phantom to bring the flat look to it...Or you can spray it with Gloss Cote for the shine look to it..
Good Luck..
JP

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by STARMAN 352ND

That is why i stay away from Armour Franklin Mint models that have decals on them in the first place......
In the past i have taken the decals off by using tape ...Just put the tape over the decals and rip it off and the decal will come off..
After you get all that done i will use a Micro Sol solution to get the old decal flim that will sometimes stay on the model after the decals
come off...After that i will wash it down with dish soap and rinse it good and use a blow dryer to get the water out of the cracks and seams
of the model....Once all it dry i would pop off the canopy and spray it with Testors Gloss Cote so the decals can stick to the glossy surface (decals will not stick to a flat surface).
After all the decals are done on the Phantom you want to wait at least 24hrs before you spray Testors Dull Coat over the Phantom to bring the flat look to it...Or you can spray it with Gloss Cote for the shine look to it..
Good Luck..
JP

I know, I know -- but I don't think this phantom comes in an "all tampo" configuration...

Thanks for the tips, if I can find the decals I'll give it a go I think. Or maybe I'll just replace the tail markings and live with it as it is.

[Tundra04]

Pappy,

I've checked all of my sources and all I've been able to find is the Almark Decal sheet, item AKA4801 at Hannants. I'm sure this is the same UK source you found for the sheet during your search. The problem is, they have a minimum order of 6GBP when purchasing "flat" items...confusing and asinine for sure! I'll keep hunting.

[PappyB]

I did find the set I have pictured below at "kit's kits" in the uk... I've never bought from them, of course. but I emailed them yesterday and they got back to me this mornign with a price of $14 shipped, so I think I'll order it from them. Though it doesn't look like it has all the same markings. So I think I'll start with the tail section and see how that goes/looks.

Is the set you mention the same as the one I picuture below?

I'm not familiar with Hannants. (edit: found them on the web, looks like the same set -- cheaper but I'd have to buy more to get it shipped, and I don't see myself doing another one of these projects -- though maybe I should order two sets in case I screw up! And perhaps I should get a backup set for my new Firebirds Phantom, too...)

thx.

[parsig9]

Can you get the old decals off with a softening solution, clear it etc.. and reapply them?

Seems I've removed decals with Microsol too...

Anyone?

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by parsig9

Can you get the old decals off with a softening solution, clear it etc.. and reapply them?

Seems I've removed decals with Microsol too...

Anyone?

I think they are too old to try this? -- they are quite dry and "crumbly" -- plus the left stab decal is beyond repair so a replacement is needed.

I was hoping I could preserve the rest of the decals and only replace those on the tailfin, though...