"Where do I start with "lozenge" fabric decals?!..."
1) You’ll know from your own research, kit or WnW instructions whether the aircraft in question is covered in four or five colour fabric. So that whittles it down straight away..
2) Are you portraying your model heavily weathered after many months (not normal!) at the front? Or as it was rolled out of the factory? Choose "Factory Fresh" or “Faded" from the options in the store.
3) “Joined “ bolt sets are for easy wing application as the sewn bolts (lengths) of linen are stitched together (therefore losing over a scale inch off the outer edges of the pattern) and originally applied like a pre-made “sock’ to the wing, sewn in place to rib stations and frame and then doped to shrink and tauten the linen.
Using the kit decals (if supplied as "cookies") or creating your own templates from the kit parts, de-tacked decorator’s masking tape does a fine job - simply lay out on decals sheet and cut as close to size as possible.
4) The regular “bolt” (full lengths of fabric) decal options are meant for fuselage sides, tops, ailerons etc as these were applied “lengthways” and are depicted in their full, untrimmed width as there is evidence that the linen was sometimes used right up to and including its (selve)edge..
5) Aviattic decals (unless stating ”white”) are printed on clear film and are translucent. The colours are best preserved on a gloss white undercoat.
Therefore, for rib tapes you will need “white” backed variations to use as rib-tapes as they are not transluscent.
Again, refer to your reference for colour choices, the equivalent decals for which you’ll find in the “linens” section of my store, ready to be sliced (.8mm is approximately to scale, many were much narrower).
6) They can be weathered, filtered and over-painted once they have been sealed with "Future" or your favourite varnish. Apply masks only over a sealed finish
7) You’ll find the decal sheet images are downloadable from the site - why not make a file of the sheets you think you may need and work out your options from there? You could print your choices out onto A4 paper and work out the number of sheets required against the kit parts..
Of course if you need any help putting an order together just let me know! Email : aviatticsales@gmail.com
ATT32001 4 colour “lozenge” full pattern width for upper surfaces (brown varnish)
ATT32002 4 colour “lozenge” joined for upper surfaces (brown varnish)
ATT32003 4 colour “lozenge” full pattern width for upper surfaces (factory fresh)
ATT32004 4 colour “lozenge” full pattern width for upper surfaces (faded)
ATT32005 4 colour “lozenge” full pattern width for lower surfaces (factory fresh)
ATT32006 4 colour “lozenge” full pattern width for lower surfaces (faded)
ATT32007 4 colour “lozenge” joined for upper flying surfaces (factory fresh)
ATT32008 4 colour “lozenge” joined for upper flying surfaces (faded)
ATT32009 4 colour “lozenge” joined for lower flying surfaces (factory fresh)
ATT32010 4 colour “lozenge” joined for lower flying surfaces (faded)
ATT32011 4 & 5 colour “lozenge” pale reversed full pattern width upper and lower (for inside fuselage)
ATT32012 5 colour “lozenge” full pattern width for upper flying surfaces (factory fresh)
ATT32013 5 colour “lozenge” full pattern width for upper surfaces (faded)
ATT32014 5 colour “lozenge” full pattern width for lower surfaces (factory fresh)
ATT32015 5 colour “lozenge” full pattern width for lower surfaces (faded)
ATT32016 5 colour “lozenge” joined for upper flying surfaces (factory fresh)
ATT32017 5 colour “lozenge” joined for upper flying surfaces (faded)
ATT32018 5 colour “lozenge” joined for lower flying surfaces (factory fresh)
ATT32019 5 colour “lozenge” joined for lower flying surfaces (faded)
Another 5 colour lower surface palette?
Careful examination of period photographs, samples in my collection and those held in the Imperial War Museum archives, protected from UV damage for 100 years, has convinced Harry and I that another colour palette for lower surface 5 colour pattern is credible.
Given the ease with which a tiny difference in recipe quantities can change a dye the possibility of a colour shift between batches, or mere experimentation, would seem more than likely.
Looking for clues as to these colours we were open-mouthed when confronted with a sample in the IWM and then looked for references and pictorial backup.
Given the ease with which a tiny difference in recipe quantities can change a dye the possibility of a colour shift between batches, or mere experimentation, would seem more than likely.
Looking for clues as to these colours we were open-mouthed when confronted with a sample in the IWM and then looked for references and pictorial backup.
ATT32065 (Clear decal) Alternative 5 colour "lozenge" full pattern width for lower surfaces
ATT32066 (White decal) Alternative 5 colour "lozenge" full pattern width for lower surfaces
Cut into .8mm strips for rib tapes
ATT32067 (Clear decal) Alternative 5 colour "lozenge" joined for lower flying surfaces
ATT32068 (white decal paper) 4 colour “lozenge” full pattern width for upper surfaces (factory fresh)
Cut into .8mm strips for rib tapes
ATT32069 (white decal paper) 4 colour “lozenge” full pattern width for upper surfaces (faded)
Cut into .8mm strips for rib tapes
ATT32070 (white decal paper) 4 colour “lozenge” full pattern width for lower surfaces (factory fresh)
Cut into .8mm strips for rib tapes
ATT32071 (white decal paper) 4 colour “lozenge” full pattern width for lower surfaces (faded)
Cut into .8mm strips for rib tapes
ATT32072 (white decal paper) 5 colour “lozenge” full pattern width for upper surfaces (factory fresh)
Cut into .8mm strips for rib tapes
ATT32073 (white decal paper) 5 colour “lozenge” full pattern width for upper surfaces (faded)
Cut into .8mm strips for rib tapes
ATT32074 (white decal paper) 5 colour “lozenge” full pattern width for lower surfaces (factory fresh)
Cut into .8mm strips for rib tapes
ATT32075 (white decal paper) 5 colour “lozenge” full pattern width for lower surfaces (faded)
Cut into .8mm strips for rib tapes
ATT32106 5 colour “lozenge” 45 degrees joined for upper flying surfaces (factory fresh)
ATT32107 5 colour “lozenge” 45 degrees joined for lower flying surfaces (factory fresh)
ATT32108 5 colour “lozenge” 45 degrees joined for upper flying surfaces (faded)
ATT32109 5 colour “lozenge” 45 degrees joined for lower flying surfaces (faded)
ATT32100 5 colour “night lozenge” full pattern width for upper surfaces
ATT32101 5 colour “night lozenge” full pattern width for lower surfaces
ATT32102 5 colour “night lozenge” joined for upper flying surfaces
ATT32103 5 colour “night lozenge” joined for lower flying surfaces
ATT32104 (white decal paper for rib tapes) 5 colour "night lozenge” full pattern width for upper surfaces
Cut into .8mm strips for rib tapes
ATT32105 (white decal paper for rib tapes) 5 colour “night lozenge” full pattern width for lower surfaces
Cut into .8mm strips for rib tapes
This "alternative" upper 5 colour palette simulates the same 5 upper colours but seen under different light conditions or subdued by varnish
ATT32110 (Clear decal) Alternative 5 colour "lozenge" full pattern width for upper surfaces
ATT32111 (White decal) Alternative 5 colour "lozenge" full pattern width for upper surfaces
Cut into .8mm strips for rib tapes
ATT32112 (Clear decal) Alternative 5 colour "lozenge" joined for upper flying surfaces
ATT32113 (Clear Decal Paper) WW1 German "Naval Hex" Printed Linen "Faded"
Following the official 1916 directive for German naval aircraft - three hexagons of "grey blue, grey brown, grey violet" - we have achieved a balance of those three colours resulting in a satisfyingly "English Channel" palette.
Though dyes did not fade quickly the protective varnish coverings perished and "bloomed" creating faded effects - some seaplanes saw service beyond the Great War...
Though dyes did not fade quickly the protective varnish coverings perished and "bloomed" creating faded effects - some seaplanes saw service beyond the Great War...
ATT32114 (White Decal Paper) WW1 German "Naval Hex" Printed Linen "Faded"
Following the official 1916 directive for German naval aircraft - three hexagons of "grey blue, grey brown, grey violet" - we have achieved a balance of those three colours resulting in a satisfyingly "English Channel" palette.
ATT32147 (Clear decal paper) 5 colour "lozenge" narrow joined bolt widths (upper surface)
German WW1 aircraft exhibit many different styles of "lozenge" application.
Seams were usually designed not to fall on a rib station - where stitching would be problematic - so we have observed that the 54" wide printed flax (linen) was trimmed and seamed to avoid this ...usually! This is WW1 aviation study,remember!
To achieve even more variation in your builds (the fabric joins are even visible in some top quality WW1 photos to give clues!) mix it up with this "narrow bolt" option with all the patterns running in same direction.
ATT32148 (Clear decal paper) 5 colour "lozenge" narrow joined bolt widths (lower surface)
German WW1 aircraft exhibit many different styles of "lozenge" application.
Seams were usually designed not to fall on a rib station - where stitching would be problematic - so we have observed that the 54" wide printed flax (linen) was trimmed and seamed to avoid this ...usually! This is WW1 aviation study, remember!
To achieve even more variation in your builds (the fabric joins are even visible in some top quality WW1 photos to give clues!) mix it up with this "narrow bolt" option with all the patterns running in same direction.