1:32 F-104 and F-86 in AMI Service - Serials and Code

Decals: fuselage numbers and codes for the Italian F-104 and F-86, 1:32 scale

A 1:32 decal sheet focused on the fuselage numbers and codes of the F-104 and F-86 in Italian Air Force service. It is an accessory to the decals from the kit, not a complete set of markings for one particular machine.

The real subjects

The Italian Air Force operated both of these aircraft for long decades. The Starfighter was among the longest-serving machines of its kind anywhere, and the Sabre held the line a generation earlier. That is exactly why numbers and codes are worth attention on Italian machines: they change from machine to machine, and it is they, not the outline of the aircraft, that tie a model to a particular unit and period.

What the sheet contains

Sets of numerals and letters in a style that matches Italian practice, together with markings usable on the fuselage and on the vertical tail. The exact make-up of the sheet, and the subjects that the individual sets belong to, are given in the manufacturer's instructions.

Application tips

• Give the base a gloss clear coat first; on matte paint a white haze forms under the decal.
• Cut the items out close to the edge of the print and soak them in warm water for only a few seconds.
• Settle them on the damp area, correct their position and press the water out with a soft cloth from the center toward the edges.
• Use a decal softener over rivets and busy areas, otherwise the decal will stay bridged over the pressings.
• Give the surface a clear coat once dry, so that the edge of the print disappears under the finish.

Who it is for

For the modeler who wants to build an Italian machine with documented markings and is not satisfied with a single option from the box.

The kit, paints and clear coat are not supplied, unless stated otherwise.