OFFICIAL Firefly Photos (1 Viewer)

[OzDigger]

I'm not sure I understand this decal thing. Are you saying that it looks like a decal was just placed over the tank and can easily peel off. Also, how are the numbers put on more expensive pieces. Are they etched in and then painted? If someone can explain this, I would be most appreciative.

Decals are most often used on plastic kits with the numbers printed on a clear (sort of) plastic sheet that is then glued to a piece of paper. When you soak the paper in warm water the decal can be pulled off the paper backing sheet and applied to the tank where it stays (usually) because of the glue. The down side is that that the plastic is often shiny and not fully transparent making a decal often very obvious especially if not stuck on a completely flat surface. The Collectors Showcase often use decals for their models.

The other methods are either painting on the numbers which is very time consuming and expensive, the best method is a process called Tampo Printing where the numbers or whatever are machine printed on the actual model with a pad through a mask like a silk screen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMzj6du4gX8

 

[jazzeum]

Thanks. I knew how it works with models but somehow I thought it would be different with these kind of collectibles.

How does K & C do it?

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Decals are most often used on plastic kits with the numbers printed on a clear (sort of) plastic sheet that is then glued to a piece of paper. When you soak the paper in warm water the decal can be pulled of the paper backing sheet and applied to the tank where it stays (usually) because of the glue. The down side is that that the plastic is often shiny and not fully transparent making a decal often very obvious especially if not stuck on a completely flat surface. The Collectors Showcase often use decals for their models.

The other methods are either painting on the numbers which is very time consuming and expensive, the best method is a process called Tampo Printing where the numbers or whatever are machine printed on the actual model with a pad through a mask like a silk screen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMzj6du4gX8

Actually the HB models also used decals. I suppose there are different qualities of decals.

Terry

 

[OzDigger]

Terry, there are certainly different types of quality in decals and some are hard to notice when applied correctly to a flat surface but I have to say that the markings on my HB E-1 "Elowee" Sherman look more like printing than decals. That said, sometimes manufacturers use a combination of decals and printing.

Brad, I think most of K & C's are printed on, maybe you could ask Andy at Chicago.

Btw, I understand that decals are more cost effective for smaller production runs with Tampo Printing being a more expensive process to set up making it more relevant to higher production numbers or where the collector is happy to pay the extra dollars for the added detail of Tampo.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Terry, there are certainly different types of quality in decals and some are hard to notice when applied correctly to a flat surface but I have to say that the markings on my HB E-1 "Elowee" Sherman look more like printing than decals. That said, sometimes manufacturers use a combination of decals and printing.

I have several of the HB armour pieces and agree that the decals used on those pieces are superior and it takes a close look to tell they are decals.

Terry

 

[OzDigger]

I have several of the HB armour pieces and agree that the decals used on those pieces are superior and it takes a close look to tell they are decals.

Terry

I have several HB tanks with decals but the images on their E-1 "Elowee" Sherman do appear to be printed on. Maybe we should check with Ana.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

I have several HB tanks with decals but the images on their E-1 "Elowee" Sherman do appear to be printed on. Maybe we should check with Ana.

They are decals. I have a piece of their decal sheet with the E-1 on it. Ana sent it to me when I needed some extra decals for an HB model.

Terry

 

[jazzeum]

Call me naive but on a Forces of Valor I expect a decal. However, on a $170 item, I think something more should be done.

 

[OzDigger]

They are decals. I have a piece of their decal sheet with the E-1 on it. Ana sent it to me when I needed some extra decals for an HB model.

Terry

Maybe you got one of the custom jobs that did have decal lettering. My E-1 is the standard HB production version that to me looks like it was printed on as I can't see any background decal outlines. Of course it could have decals that have been finished really really well. If so, they did a good job of it as my close up eyesight is pretty good.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Maybe you got one of the custom jobs that did have decal lettering. My E-1 is the standard HB production version that to me looks like it was printed on as I can't see any background decal outlines. Of course it could have decals that have been finished really really well. If so, they did a good job of it as my close up eyesight is pretty good.

I came to the party late after all of the HB Shermans were gone but managed to liberate a slightly damaged but easily repaired Al Capone green and black version. Some of the decals had not been put on so I asked Ana if she still had some. She sent me parts of decal sheets which had decals for a few of the tanks including E-1. Why would they have decal sheets if they were going to paint the lettering on.

Look more closely Oz - perhaps a hobby lamp with a magnifyer

Terry

 

[OzDigger]

I came to the party late after all of the HB Shermans were gone but managed to liberate a slightly damaged but easily repaired Al Capone green and black version. Some of the decals had not been put on so I asked Ana if she still had some. She sent me parts of decal sheets which had decals for a few of the tanks including E-1. Why would they have decal sheets if they were going to paint the lettering on.

Look more closely Oz - perhaps a hobby lamp with a magnifyer

Terry

Cheeky bugger, I didn't think I was so old that I needed one Anyhow, I've just come inside after having a look at the E-1 turret in direct sunlight and I could see the decal outline on the RHS of the turret but the LHS is perfect. I wish I could take a photo of it to show how well finished it is. Of course they could have printed the LHS and decalled the RHS - grasping at straws here

 

[jazzeum]

A friend of mine, who had one of the HB Shermans, also thought it was decals, and wasn't thrilled.

 

[OzDigger]

OK OK, they must be decals on HB tanks but I reckon the K & C lettering is printed on. If not, I do have an old hat that I can eat

 

[Louis Badolato]

As you can tell, I was a bit underwhelmed by some aspects of the Firefly. I was really shocked to see the decals on the side of the chassis of the tank be so poorly applied and obvious, while the decals on the turret were so nicely blended in with the paint job. I made the same observation about the Honour Bound regular edition Sherman - the decals on the side of the tank Chassis really stood out and looked fake. I know that all manufacturers use decals, but on both of these vehicles the decals on the turrets are nicely blended in, demonstrating that both Figarti and Honour Bound can use the decals properly, but the ones on the side of the chassis are just stuck on.

As everyone has noted, both the HB and Figarti Shermans are still very nice, and are not overpriced, but both could have been much better for the same price with a little care taken with a few decals.

 

[jazzeum]

Well, if this is noticeable on mine, it's going to be for sale. I didn't order the second Sherman but I hope for the sake of those who bought them that Figarti does a better job.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Well, if this is noticeable on mine, it's going to be for sale. I didn't order the second Sherman but I hope for the sake of those who bought them that Figarti does a better job.

The decals that look like decals are the ones with small white printing because there needs to be some kind of sheet material to hold the small lettering. The only way to avoid the problem is to use a dull material to make the decals out of or apply some dullcoat??? But I am only guessing at those measures.

Or paint them on.

I looked at the K&C Bren Gun Carrier and Bedford truck and the small white numbers do not look like they are on a decal. Don't know how K&C does them - probably won't say how either.

Terry

 

[Rob]

Side by side comparison the Figarti Sherman and HB regular edition Sherman of the wheels, tracks, cast pebbled paint job, gun, MG, I would have to rate them as equal. And that means equally very good. The scales are identical too.

The HB finish has more of a realistic painted look. The Figarti has more of a realistic metallic painted look.

I have never seen a HB Gold Edition Sherman to compare to

Terry

Just a small point i know,but Figarti's crew figures are streets ahead of HB,no question.

Rob

 

[Blowtorch]

. The only way to avoid the problem is to use a dull material to make the decals out of or apply some dullcoat??? But I am only guessing at those measures.

Terry

It would be nice to see some pics of the offensive material.

I haven't received mine yet, but when a decal looks like a decal, a good way to remedy it is to apply some super softener to make the decal sink into the contours, let dry, then dullcoat

 

[lancer]

This decal discussion is interesting. IMO, all of the armor I own, (KC, HB, CS) are all marked with decals. I have many die-cast aircraft marked with pad-printed insigna and the better quality of these is marked. That said, the KC decals seem to be of higher quality than those of HB and especially CS. Anyone else see this?

 

[jazzeum]

You may be right about that but when you're spending $170, why should you have to?