Best way to make vehicle recognition flags/drapes for tanks?

J

Jens Andrée

Guest
Since this topic touches base on both tanks, paint and diorama I posted it in general.

The Germans often put a flag somewhere on top of their tanks to avoid being rained upon by the Luftwaffe. In fact this was way more common than I initially thought.
However, due to scale modelling companies either being overly PC or are forced to be censored, this is a detail that's always omitted amongst the decals and other parts. In fact the only kit I've got in the stash that includes this is my Landkreuzer P.1000 Ratte, but you have to complete the swastika with two decals to assemble the hakenkreuz.

This should be easy enough to scratch build I thought so I made some experiments. Paper and wood glue worked ok-ish but painting the flag after giving it a "weathered" form and placement was impossible.
I also tried to laser print the outlines of the swastika on normal printer paper to have lines to fill in later on but that didn't turn out great either - but I admit I only tried once before having to stop due to frustration...

How do you do make your swastikas/other flags for your models - including the details/paint?
I don't want to buy something ready made in this case since I rather make it myself.
I just want to be able to put at least outlines on the flag prior to shaping it so I can paint it later with correct perspective regardless if the flag is folded or stretched.

Examples:
de%5Epanzer.jpg

ee61c2ee997825c5a32950454e2da15e.jpg


Many t(h)anks in advance! ;)

Jens
 

spanner570

SALAD DODGER
SMF Supporter
Joined
May 26, 2009
Messages
12,910
Points
113
First Name
Ron
Single ply tissue paper cut to size, painted and allowed to dry. Iron smooth, then paint your white circle. When this is dry freehand paint on the swastika.

Weather, then gently 'screw up' the flag/drape, open out and attach as required to the model.

It might not be the best, but it's the easiest......

Ron
 
J

Jens Andrée

Guest
Single ply tissue paper cut to size, painted and allowed to dry. Iron smooth, then paint your white circle. When this is dry freehand paint on the swastika.

Weather, then gently 'screw up' the flag/drape, open out and attach as required to the model.

It might not be the best, but it's the easiest......

Ron

That sounds like something proven. Many thanks! Will try later tonight and see how it pans out! :smiling3:
Maybe I can tape some tissue paper to an ordinary sheet of A4 and print the outline for the swastika? Or even better, cut out a stencil in some thicker material and use over and over again...
Tissue paper sounds like the solution regardless. I just hope I got some at home that hasn't got uncle Santa or some fluffy chickens printed on them :p

Cheers!
 

PaulTRose

Dazed and confused
SMF Supporter
Joined
Jun 13, 2013
Messages
5,741
Points
113
Location
limbo
First Name
Paul
rather than tissue paper which will get rather 'fragile' when it gets wet why not try something such as a wet wipe or one of those smelly things you throw in the tumble dryer?.....they retain some strength
 
Top