Author Topic: Airfix Moonraker Shuttle Decal Question (Read 3355 times)

Blanik · « **on:** 02/15/2015 05:22 pm »

Currently there is a not too expensive Moonraker for sale on EvilBay - including the very vintage decals which go along the kit.

While they do appear not much yellowed, is there a fair chance to use decals of that age successfully?
I looked for build reports of models using very old decals, but I couldn't convince myself that the procedures people used would work in this case...

Thank you in advance for tips!

Hobbes-22 · « **Reply #1 on:** 02/15/2015 06:11 pm »

It depends: some old decals fall apart, others remain usable.
You could put a layer of liquid decal film (available from e.g. Microscale) on the decals, that helps. I had some new but very fragile decals for an airliner (e.g. pinstripes) that fell apart when I put them in water. With a coat of decal film on, I had no trouble applying the decals in one piece.

Hotdog876 · « **Reply #2 on:** 02/15/2015 09:25 pm »

Before you do anything, make a high-resolution (300 dpi) scan of the decal sheet. This way, you can print new decals in case they rip or if you mess up. You can also throw the scan in Photoshop and remove any yellowing or stains.

david1971 · « **Reply #3 on:** 02/15/2015 09:32 pm »

I put together a shuttle+SCA model from about the same time about two years ago. The decals worked fine with no special preparations. YMMV of course…

Ronpur50 · « **Reply #4 on:** 02/16/2015 12:44 am »

I have tried to get replacement decals for the Moonraker from JBot Decals, but he doesn't have his site active until he catches up on orders. I have always found the Revell decals to age badly, yellowing or even rusting after a few months. I just had a set of decals from an old kit star to crack on me when I tried a spare decal. I used Testers Glosscote and it worked fine.

http://www.jbot.ca/space/moonraker.shtml

Blanik · « **Reply #5 on:** 02/18/2015 11:10 am »

Thank you very much for the advice! Scanning them is definitive worthwhile doing... and then I will put my trust in applying a protective coating - in case I win the auction!

Ronpur50 · « **Reply #6 on:** 02/18/2015 12:47 pm »

Here is a great reference page for Moonraker shuttles. It has great pictures of the Marine shuttle launch from "Vandenburg" which I always wanted to build.

http://b26354.co.nz/moonraker_ref/index.html#photo%207-01-14%2010%2001%2045

placemat · « **Reply #7 on:** 04/07/2019 08:35 am »

I had the Moonraker shuttle model, but before I sold it I scanned the decals. Here they are if anyone wants them. You can buy inkjet decal paper and create them yourself.;-)

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1yZR_Dj7qyaLtljUqGrQxwPKRffLoaRvd?usp=sharing