Decal delight!

I don't normally get anywhere near this stage of a model build in such a short time so I was delighted to be decaling (is that a word???) on the Airfix Curtiss Tomahawk model  First off though a coating of gloss varnish was airbrushed all over the model. This gives a smooth surface that the decals can be applied to which avoids the possibility of 'silvering'. This is the phenomena where applying the decal to a rough matt surface traps air between the decal and the surface which results in the decal having a silver colour around its edges in certain light conditions.

There are a quite a number of decals for such a small model and it is worth taking time to position them correctly otherwise any imperfections stick out like a sore thumb. In addition there are a number of recessed panel lines on the model over which the decals go. Just leaving them flat would not look right as the decal should drop into the recess of the panel line. Luckily there are products (Micro Sol and Mirco Set are two such products) that assist in creating this by softening the decal so that it moulds its self to the surface over which t is placed. These are brushed on  and left to do their work with maybe a little encouragement from a moist cotton bud. Patience is the name of the game. 

I still have the underside wing roundels and the Tomahawk bird teeth and eyes to fit  but in the picture below the effect of the decal moulding itself to the underlying surface is clear to see.

Hopefully getting the last of the decals applied will also be a delight!