Echelon Fine Details UK Antenna
Flags and Stickers (Part 1) (FL354002)
by Frank De Sisto
Water-slide decal sheet in 1/35th-scale. Price: $14.00 USD, includes
shipping.
This first set, which is a “Limited Edition” consists of
various flags as flown by the armed forces of the UK during Operation
Telic I and Telic II, more commonly known as the war in Iraq. It contains
a total of 17 flags and pennants for vehicle antennae, 31 stickers for
vehicle surfaces and one dozen uniform patches for figures.
There are six Union flags in four different sizes (the largest of which
also has a separate black pig motif, which is to be placed in its center),
five flags featuring the St. Andrew’s Cross in three different sizes
and five flags and one pennant featuring the “Lion Rampant”
of Scotland. Vehicle stickers include ten Union flags, nine St Andrew’s
Crosses and ten “Lion Rampant” uniform patches. Each design
is exquisitely rendered in very fine detail, with excellent registration
and color saturation. All larger designs feature a small white border
with trim marks next to them so that there should be no problem with the
edges being rough as a result of the printing process.
The flags will take some skill to use, since the modeler must find a
suitable backing for them, such as lead foil (not included). The foil
must be prepared by creating at least one perfectly square edge. The decal
is then applied and folded over this edge, carefully aligned and allowed
to dry. Then it will need to be carefully trimmed and a matte sealer coat
applied. I would also prep the surface of the foil with enamel-based paint
so that there will be no oxidation beneath the decal. Care will also be
needed to mount the flags to the chosen antenna or flag pole. Of course,
the use of the sheet’s other items on vehicle surfaces or uniforms,
will be as easy as using any other water-slide decal.
There are no instructions included with my samples, but information and
a description of the sheet’s contents is given on Echelon’s
web site. This may put some off, as may the perceived difficulty that
might be encountered in their use. On the other hand, some marvelously-colored
models will be the result if these items are properly used.
Recommended.
Echelon Fine Details are available from retail and mail-order shops.
Or direct through their web-site at: pachome1.pacific.net.sg/kriegsketten/,
e-mail: kreigsketten@pacific.net.sg.
|
