by Ron Peterka
Sometimes a model just cries out for some 'special' graphics to make it stand out, or for duplication of the graphics from a full scale aircraft. Sure, you could send in a copy of what you want to a computer graphics company, but that's expensive and lacks that personal touch. If you cover with a plastic covering such as Monokote, you can do a very professional job at home. Here's, how I made the majority of the graphics on my Weddell Williams, Roscoe Turner, Gilmore special. The Gilmore logos were complex and had pin striping. Let's describe them.
The first step is a full scale drawing of the graphic to be replicated. You could use a computer with a good selection of fonts to print out a copy at the needed size. Or, you could use the computer printout at any size and enlarge/reduce the pattern on a copy machine. A purist would hand draw a full size pattern using ink on vellum. Right....! By the way, most computers will print out in outline form which is nice for making these patterns. The copy machine does come in handy for copying patterns from the plans or drawings, and you will need several copies for each set of patterns to be applied to the plane. Any paper is OK and you may have to join a couple of sheets to make a complete graphic. Try the pattern on the plane for size and spacing.
Using a clean, very clean, piece of window glass, smooth and tape a piece of Monokote of the main color, large enough for your pattern, (backing removed) onto the glass. If you chose yellow letters with black pin striping, the yellow would be cut first. Tape a pattern copy over the Monokote and, using a new No. 11 exacto blade, cut each letter following the pattern. It will go more quickly than you think, and the glass will not dull the blade as rapidly as you might expect. A sharp blade is mandatory for clean edges. Now lay each letter onto another piece of Monokote larger than the letter for the pin- striping. It is imperative that each piece of Monokote be as clean as possible.. Holding one edge of the previously cut letter, apply a tiny amount of trim solvent to one edge of the letter to bond the letter to the Monokote. I use a very small pointed brush. The trim solvent makes a good bond with an absolute minimum of bubbles. Wipe with a clean paper towel to remove excess solvent and cut each letter again, but about 1/16" (or to suit your design) outside the original letter. Voila! No need for bending pin striping tape around impossible corners. Prepare all the letters for one complete set. A third color could be snadwiched on this way as well.
Using the piece of window glass again, place a copy of your graphic under the glass. Then, using small tabs of masking tape on the extreme top and bottom edge, position each letter in its place on the glass upper surface. To place the entire graphic onto the airplane with proper alignment and spacing will require picking up all the letters at once. It is easy, really. Frisket paper is a semi-transparent, low tack, paper used in the printing and art fields. It is available at many art supply stores and in addition to this task it makes complex masks for painting possible. Cut a 3/4" to 1" wide strip of frisket paper long enough to extend the length of your graphic. (In a pinch a piece of masking tape can be de-tacked by drawing the adhesive side over your pant leg a time or two) Place the Frisket strip over the centerline of the graphic and rub it lightly so it will adhere to the lettering top surface. Remove the masking tape tabs holding the letters to the glass surface.
Hang on, you are almost finished!
You can lift the entire graphic now and place it in its place on your model. Align carefully and lightly rub in place. The Frisket strip will hold each letter in its proper alignment. Now, very carefully, lift the top (or bottom) and apply a tiny amount of trim solvent at the very top edge of each letter. DO NOT TRY TO ATTACH THE WHOLE LETTER AT THIS TIME. You are just trying to tack the latter in place. Very slowly, lift the frisket strip off the lettering and your airplane. Each letter should be in its exact position tacked at one point. With a very small brush, begin to finish attaching each letter by lifting the letter and applying tiny amounts of trim solvent to the fuselage/wing/etc. and lowering the letter onto the wetted surface. You will only have one chance. The adhesive grabs instantly like contact cement. By laying the letters down progressively, few, if any, bubbles should be trapped. A needle will release any that do occur. If some Monokote adhesive/color bleeds out it can be picked up with a paper towel wetted slightly with trim solvent. In twenty four to forty eight hours the trim solvent will have dried and your graphics should be smooth, beautiful, and fuel proof.