A new company from the Czech Republic SKP Models has released two sheets of Dry Transfer Decals in 1:35 scale for the Czechoslovak Independent Armoured Brigade of WWII (Part 1 #SKP001 and Part 2 #SKP002) with Part 3 #SKP003 and Part 4 #SKP008 to follow shortly.
The first two sets available now are nicely printed with good colour register overall which is important with dry transfers in particular but a few designs having a thin white outline such as the red/white/red recognition markings on Part 1 and the Unit Crests on Part 2.
Both sheets have a large selection of generic markings for the varied vehicles that made up the with the Arm of Service and geometric symbols plus varied vehicle weights and a good selection of letters and numbers as well as various stencil panels to allow virtually any combination to be used for any vehicle of the Brigade.
No information is included on the applicable vehicles and some additional reference will be needed to find appropriate homes for the markings and applying the decals was very simply and only minimal pressure was needed for the design to come away from the backing sheet and they adhered well to the painted surface.
Unfortunately there is a covering on each design almost like conventional carrier film that left a bad case of silvering when applied directly to the matt painted model surface and it may be necessary to gloss the model and apply the markings using a decal setting solution to eliminate this. One of the advantages of dry transfers is the lack of carrier film allowing they to be applied directly to the painted model bypassing the preparations required for conventional water slide decals but these will needed the same treatment with just the water bit eliminated.
Even quite extensive burnishing of the transfer once applied did not eliminate the carrier film completely and there is the danger of damaging the design during the burnishing if not careful. This burnishing would also be difficult if the transfer was over a rough surface or raised detail.
Image below shows a selection of SKP Models dry transfers applied directly to the painted model surface showing
the silvering without any preparation (right). On the left are a couple of Archers Fine Transfers dry transfers
showing no silvering which is the normal effect and main advantage of using dry transfers.
This image shows the effect after extensive burnishing of the transfer but the carrier film
was not fully eliminated.
The two additional sheets to come have specific markings for the vehicles used and include the specific vehicle registrations and unit insignia as well as a selection of Allied Stars and vehicle names for the featured vehicles that included:
Cromwell VI, Stuart M5A1, Crusader Mk.II, III and AA on sheet #SKP003 and Sherman Firefly IC, Universal Carrier MK.II, Cromwell ARV, Austin 10HP LIght Utility and Humber Mk.I Scout car on sheet #SKP008 with a small instruction sheet with five view drawings of the vehicles showing the decal locations.
Good subject matter but the final effect with the silvering is a dissappointment negating the main advantage of dry transfers.
See the SKP Models website for details of these and other items available.