I have written about these before. But first, to those who have not used them please don’t get confused by the word decal. These resemble decals only in respect of the elements being carried on paper and are removed by soaking. They are, in use, more like painted etch detailing sets. Instead of metal they are 3D printed vinyl and need to be glued into place using a pva type glue. Despite being used in the same way as etch I find them a lot easier to use and the good ones are better detailed.
But, and this comes to the point of this post, all are not equal.
Several companies produce these.
The original and best are Quinta Studios but this is a Russian company and, right now, people may well have qualms about using them.
Other providers include Red Fox Studios and these are also superb, thoroughly recommended.
Eduard have also started producing them and these too are good
Then there is Kits World who make some excellent traditional decal sets. Their ‘3D Decals’ are another matter.
I have used them on a few builds now and all I can say is that they are better than nothing. They are just not up to the detailing and quality of Red Fox or Quinta.
I will say though, that their best seatbelt sets are quite good, not great, but better and more usable than the etch alternatives.
The problems are with their ip and other cockpit detailing sets. Apart from their lacking the level of clarity and detail of the others, there can be issues with their colour register.
I am just starting a Kinetic Sea Harrier and, in error, ordered two sets of their internal detailing sets. I opened the first and found it totally unusable so I checked the second on and it is better, not perfect, but usable.
Here they are side by side.
You can see, I am sure, exactly what I mean.
The other issue with Kitsworld is a lack of instructions. It’s not such a problem with the Harrier but with the Lancaster trying to work out where parts go was very difficult indeed and I will never know how many I got right!
So this is really just a warning. Be careful of Kitsworld 3D Decals. If you get them, check them for register and, if necessary, return them to the retailer. Only too often I get my a.m. and just shove it in a box having hardly looked at it until too late.
But, and this comes to the point of this post, all are not equal.
Several companies produce these.
The original and best are Quinta Studios but this is a Russian company and, right now, people may well have qualms about using them.
Other providers include Red Fox Studios and these are also superb, thoroughly recommended.
Eduard have also started producing them and these too are good
Then there is Kits World who make some excellent traditional decal sets. Their ‘3D Decals’ are another matter.
I have used them on a few builds now and all I can say is that they are better than nothing. They are just not up to the detailing and quality of Red Fox or Quinta.
I will say though, that their best seatbelt sets are quite good, not great, but better and more usable than the etch alternatives.
The problems are with their ip and other cockpit detailing sets. Apart from their lacking the level of clarity and detail of the others, there can be issues with their colour register.
I am just starting a Kinetic Sea Harrier and, in error, ordered two sets of their internal detailing sets. I opened the first and found it totally unusable so I checked the second on and it is better, not perfect, but usable.
Here they are side by side.
You can see, I am sure, exactly what I mean.
The other issue with Kitsworld is a lack of instructions. It’s not such a problem with the Harrier but with the Lancaster trying to work out where parts go was very difficult indeed and I will never know how many I got right!
So this is really just a warning. Be careful of Kitsworld 3D Decals. If you get them, check them for register and, if necessary, return them to the retailer. Only too often I get my a.m. and just shove it in a box having hardly looked at it until too late.
