Ah, geez. This is a case of too little too late, but you ALWAYS want to have some Microscale Liquid Decal Film handy when dealing with old decals. :damn:




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RsK7titGdg

I wish I had thought about posting this earlier.
You're not completely lost, however. You can use the draft marker decals from any of the Hobby Boss 688 models. There are some minor differences but no one will notice them.

If you have most of the decals for your Ohio still on the paper, stop and get that bottle of Liquid Decal Film first. You could also try the old Testor's Decal Making Kit, you'll want the can of spray sealer.

Check on Amazon, Microscale sells a "three pack" of Micro Sol, Micro Set, and Micro Decal Film.

Again, sorry I didn't think about posting this earlier.

:Kaleun_Cheers:

BTW, don't concentrate too much on printing your own decals for the sub. You would NEED an "ALPS" style of printer that's capable of printing white ink at least at 800 DPI or finer. :doh: Trust me, you don't have one. Neither does any one in your town unless they own a specialty printing business.

Oh man, thanks! I'm glad there a solution (!) for this. I will try that before any further decal work on this model.

I was able to get some of the numbers to work, I will try to borrow some from one of my HobbyBoss kits.

Re: printing decals, I wonder if I take the his res file and decal paper to Office Depot, can they print it...?

Gorgeous! :D

You'll need to ask first if they can print in white ink or lacquer.

If they say "Yes" and don't put you on hold for an hour, you'll also need to ask if they can print at 800-1,200 DPI.

I'm betting that they won't be able to do either. :03:

An ALPS type of printer is closer to an actual printing press where you can control the type and color of the ink. Brand new, they tend to be scary expensive because they are meant to run in a commercial environment.
Finding one that is Used is usually a dice throw. In a commercial environment, these things get beaten like a rented mule.

One thing you could try is to check the links I posted in the Resources thread. There's a guy listed who prints decals for racing cars. As I understand it, he found a decent ALPS printer and took the time to learn how to use and maintain it. :03:

One last thing, a lot of this comes down to economics. A kit maker may contact a commercial printer (ie, Cartograph) to produce a bulk order of decals for 20,000 or more kits. There's lead time and prep time involved, but the per-unit cost stays low.
Outside of those "bulk" numbers, things tend to get expensive. :03:

Today/tonight I plan to start the process of mating the sub to the base, hooking up the wires to the switch, and then making the missile cloud. That's going to involve wire, cotton, hot glue, LEDs, soldering, acrylic gel, and white glue. If that goes well :o, I should be done until I get the decal situation cleared up.

https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/att...1&d=1653653769

Since the missile portion seems likely to make the model top-heavy, I'm extending the pegs on the plastic base, and adding some tabs to screw it down onto the wooden base, so any jiggling the switch is less likely to capsize the boat.


https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pic...ictureid=12535

https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pic...ictureid=12536

Decided to do some touch up painting, the Mission Models paint is really odd. It has a mottled look after handling. Maybe I should have let it dry longer? Well, after the touchup coats I followed up with 2 coats matt clear...
https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pic...ictureid=12538

https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pic...ictureid=12537



Finally, completed the electrical circuits!
https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pic...ictureid=12542

Testing different configs of smoke and glues. Looks like plain Elmer's white glue is the best.
https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pic...ictureid=12541

Complete except decals, waiting for a set from a LA class model.

https://youtu.be/Y3qcaYMxCFw

COOL!!

You could say you had success with your idea

Markus

:yeah:

Thanks, now I need to find a place to put it. :shucks:

Awesome!!!
:Kaleun_Salute: :Kaleun_Thumbs_Up: :Kaleun_Cheers: :Kaleun_Wink: :Kaleun_Applaud:

Keeping in mind this boat hasn't completed Sea Trails yet:

https://www.subsim.com/wp-content/up...22/06/navy.jpg


Notice the different colors on the masts. :up:

Yeah, that's a Virginia class, isn't it? They seem to have gone away from the leopard spot scheme.
https://americanhistory.si.edu/subs/...es/cutaway.jpg

I just learned there is such a thing as a light box, that's how to do it. Got one on order.

I'll add a few closeups.

Short demo on how this was done
https://youtu.be/CZzlqKuwBzY

Finally got some :Kaleun_Wink: additional decals to finish this one.

I guess I should mention:

https://spruebrothers.com/dml1056-1-...rida-ssgn-728/

Available and in stock.
Its there if you really, really want one. This version also includes the two dry deck shelters and cruise missiles since its been converted to an SSGN.

:Kaleun_Cheers:

Yes, that was the one I got for the decals. :arrgh!:

I was a little hesitant to post that link. :03:

The kit has had a long history of being a bear to assemble. This is an "old school" Dragon kit and the parts are not exactly "crisp" (expect to spend a LOT of time working on the hull) although the scale is accurate.

Sprue Bros. has always been a little "iffy" for me. :hmmm:
I didn't list them in the "Resources" thread because its felt like you need to pay a premium in honor to have them serve you. Their selection is outstanding and in many cases they are the only game in town, so "fair dinkum" to them.
Still, if you can find it anywhere else, go for it. If you can't, grit your teeth and place the order.

I'm NOT trying to say they are bad. I've ordered from them before and their service is fine. Orders are shipped quickly and they stand behind their wares. It just always felt like I was being "nickeled and dimed" on everything, especially shipping/processing.

:doh: