* This article will focus on an offering from Fündekals out of California. Currently in my modest stash I have a Hellcat, a Corsair and several P-47s (all powered by the venerable Pratt and Whitney R-2800- as well as many other US radial powered planes) in 1:32 scale and one in 1:48. I grabbed a set of their WWII era Pratt and Whitney Engine badges (which, they have began selling in sets of two sheets per individual order!!). This set was printed by Cartograf and are in exquisite detail and register. Especially for the size of the printing in the smaller scales. Here are some examples of the The P&W badges on a couple of their R-2800's:
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Some R-2800's:
The Decals come in 1:72,1:48, 1:32, 1:24 and a whopping 1:18 scale. Colors are crisp and I was blown away at the detail when I scanned the sets and “blew them up” to see how detailed the detail was in actuality.
I had a couple of semi completed “experimental” P-47s. I applied some of the Fündekal logos to fill the deficiencies on these two to get a feel for how they look. I was very pleased with the results. The "experimentals" are a Revell 1:32 OOB P-47D w/ Smithsonian Decals and a 1:48 Academy B-top Jug with the Eileen Decals. Here they are “before” the application of the Fündekal badges:
Now, AFTER:
Not bad, huh? IMO that small detail makes the engines pop!! (The decals not the planes- they are shoddy but served my purpose).
I had a few problems with the quarter-scale decal, but with some micro sol and micro set, the problem was solved. These are small decals but I think they really make a huge difference with the R-2800! I'm glad I got the set- They are worth the $9.00USD considering the 176 badges you get. I definitely recommend dealing with Fündekal Guys their work is superior- and shipping was fast and very inexpensive IMO. For a modest price you get 40-1:72, 60-1:48, 40-1:32, 20-1:24 and 16-1:18 decals. I highly recommend anything Fündekals has to offer.
www.fundekals.com/
JTF aka DaneBramage
*Note: Before you read this review, I have only began offering my experience backed opinion on items in the modelling arena. I will not try to impress you with historic or technical knowledge of the subject matter (unless I believe it's pertinent to the review). In other words: I will not try to dazzle you nor insult your research experience and ability with my limited knowledge.
Since I returned to modelling in 2007 (I had to abandon the hobby in 1992), I have slowly acclimated into the concept of utilizing after-market items as a regular part of my modelling even if it's just getting some decals to top off a gorgeous styrene or resin scale kit. Since I am no academic Historian I am not going to pretend to be one and present some background information on minutia cut and pasted from other articles.
------------------------------------
Some R-2800's:
The Decals come in 1:72,1:48, 1:32, 1:24 and a whopping 1:18 scale. Colors are crisp and I was blown away at the detail when I scanned the sets and “blew them up” to see how detailed the detail was in actuality.
I had a couple of semi completed “experimental” P-47s. I applied some of the Fündekal logos to fill the deficiencies on these two to get a feel for how they look. I was very pleased with the results. The "experimentals" are a Revell 1:32 OOB P-47D w/ Smithsonian Decals and a 1:48 Academy B-top Jug with the Eileen Decals. Here they are “before” the application of the Fündekal badges:
Now, AFTER:
Not bad, huh? IMO that small detail makes the engines pop!! (The decals not the planes- they are shoddy but served my purpose).
I had a few problems with the quarter-scale decal, but with some micro sol and micro set, the problem was solved. These are small decals but I think they really make a huge difference with the R-2800! I'm glad I got the set- They are worth the $9.00USD considering the 176 badges you get. I definitely recommend dealing with Fündekal Guys their work is superior- and shipping was fast and very inexpensive IMO. For a modest price you get 40-1:72, 60-1:48, 40-1:32, 20-1:24 and 16-1:18 decals. I highly recommend anything Fündekals has to offer.
www.fundekals.com/
JTF aka DaneBramage
*Note: Before you read this review, I have only began offering my experience backed opinion on items in the modelling arena. I will not try to impress you with historic or technical knowledge of the subject matter (unless I believe it's pertinent to the review). In other words: I will not try to dazzle you nor insult your research experience and ability with my limited knowledge.
Since I returned to modelling in 2007 (I had to abandon the hobby in 1992), I have slowly acclimated into the concept of utilizing after-market items as a regular part of my modelling even if it's just getting some decals to top off a gorgeous styrene or resin scale kit. Since I am no academic Historian I am not going to pretend to be one and present some background information on minutia cut and pasted from other articles.