Morning all.
i’ve been lucky enough to score one of Werner’s Wings AH-1F updates for the old Revell 1/32 AH-1G. i’ve seen the pic below in the Squadron Signal book and wondering if, on the off chance, there’s a decal set for it anywhere?
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I think only Uprise did an F sheet. Would have to order direct.
https://www.scalemates.com/kits/uprise-ur32158-ah-1f-desert-cobras--1347206
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Being that the markings are mostly black, they would be easy to do yourself with home computer/printer decal paper.
The 1/48 Revell AH-1F comes with decals for it.
- 67-15883, “Trigger and Boomer’s Excellent Adventure” in overall sand during Operation Desert Storm in 1991
The tail number on the decal sheet is wrong though. The actual aircraft is 67-15683. It looks like the markings are all black here as well.
Aircraft Photo of 67-15683 / 15683 | Bell AH-1F Cobra (209) | USA - Army | AirHistory.net #416319
The aircraft was on display at an AMVETs post in Sydney, Ohio.
Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Bell AH-1F Cobra, s/n 67-15683 US, c/n 20347
It is currently on display in Lebanon, Missouri in an overall green scheme.
67-15683 | Bell AH-1F Cobra | United States - US Army | Stephen J Stein | JetPhotos
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The problem with do it yourself decals is that most commerical clear decal films are too thick, leaving a very hard to eliminate demarcation line, which is unsightly at best.
If you are artistically inclined, have you considered trying to draw the markings on using an ultrafine (.2mm) art drawing pen? At 1/32 scale it’s doable, I’d say.
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I agree wholeheartedly with this, DIY decals are OK in my opinion for armour where typically you’re going to try and snug them down but for something smooth like an aircraft they might stand out too much.
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Well I finished this 1:72 Cobra with decals I designed myself and they were printed by a company in Poland:
I’d say the carrier film was not too bad… If you like I could help you draw up the new serial number (I even made a font for that) and we could do the inscriptions. Please let me know if you need any help here.
Good luck with your build and have a nice day
Paweł
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Nice! And in 1/72? They are truly using some thin carrier. That’s really well done.
A trick I’ve used for many years is lightly sanding the decals before applying them to reduce their thickness. Unfortunately for the homemade variety it’s not as easy. The best you can do use not spray too much fixative on them after printing.
Ah, but there’s a “6” in the same font for another tail number on that sheet you can use. You even circled it. I’d cut and paste.
He can’t as he is building a 1/32 AH-1F and the decal sheet is from a 1/48 kit.
That’s true. But as you posted it, although he originally asked about 1/32, I thought I’d point out that all is not lost with that set for anyone else who might be temped to get it,
My poor paint mule. Someone with a steadier hand might get better results. I did find it gets finer if you work upside down.
Still, these things work great for things like graffiti on railroad rolling stock, which is something I do. Was hoping to use it on an aircraft build as well.
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Thanks everyone for all of the Info. I’ve got a couple of options from this lot. Currently doing up the other 1/32 AH-1G that i have with a few various resin upgrades designed for the ICM kits.
yes i know, it’d be easier just to buy the ICM ones but i like a challenge and i’m a glutton for punishment 
@Pawel i may take you up on that offer for the design, much appreciated
@HeavyArty, thanks for those photos, i was having trouble finding pics of the opposite side
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