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Chips & Scratches Decals

1/72, 1/48 & 1/32

Gekko Graphics

 

S u m m a r y
Catalogue Number: FX72-001 - Chips & Scratches
FX48-001 - Chips & Scratches
FX32-001 - Chips & Scratches
Scale: 1/48
Contents and Media: One small decal sheet 62mm x 70mm plus instructions for suggested uses
Price: AUD$5.50 each (approx. USD$2.50)
Review Type: FirstLook
Advantages: Simple concept; less risky than painting chips or using the "silver undercoat" method; good results; rivet lines a nice bonus in 1/48 and 1/72 scale sheets.
Disadvantages: Decal film covers the whole sheet
Recommendation: Recommended for anyone who does not feel totally confident in adding chipped-paint damage to their model aircraft

 


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FirstLook

 

Gekko Graphics' latest surprise releases are three decal sheets of chips and scratches for 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32 scale aircraft.

Gekko Graphics is the brainchild of Richard Chafer. Long-time HyperScale visitors might remember some of Richard's impressive Articles back in 1998. His models featured heavy weathering, including convincingly chipped paint. Richard has put his painting skills at the disposal of other modellers with these new decal releases.

Each sheet contains a variety of shapes and sizes of random silver shapes representing paint damage on a metal aircraft surface. Small squiggles are also supplied as scratches. The 1/72 and 1/48 scale releases also include lines of silver rivet heads which match the pitch of a Mustang or a Corsair, but which will look good on any weathered aircraft.

So why would you want to use decals for this weathering task?

There are several methods of adding chip and scratch weathering to a model. Most are unforgiving in the event of a mistake or an error of judgement. By contrast, the shape and size of each decal paint chip is totally predictable, and if you don't like the look of your decal chips, you can move them around the surface of your model or even remove them if you don't like them.

There is only one colour - silver - so registration is not an issue. Printing is robust. I scratched away at a few spots without causing damage. Even so, the decal instructions suggest that you can scratch some of the decal ink off to change the shape of individual chips and scratches.

The only real work required is cutting out each decal as the entire sheet is covered with glossy film.

This is an innovative and inexpensive approach to a common modelling task.

Recommended.

Thanks to Gekko Graphics for the review samples

Gekko Graphics decals are available online from their website

Text Copyright © 2002 by Brett Green
Page Created 04 December, 2002
Last updated 14 August, 2003

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