Custom 1:400 Models - are they worth it?

[GoLithuania]

Hi!

So, I'm interested in customizing some of my models, but I have a few questions.

(1 - For a person who isn't very good at decaling, is the cost of sending it to a decaler worth it?

(2 - Should I do simple reg changes, whole new liveries, or both?

(3 - If I do decide to decal myself, how hard is it?


Thanks!

 

[Purpleplane]

I've had that dilemma myself. I decalled one model myself (an ATA 737-800) for fleet-building simply by changing the regstration number. I also decaled an Overseas National Airways DC-8-21 (tail only) with custom decals that V1 decals made for me. These were very easy to do. I did also decide to make a custom American Trans Air 707-323C and also an ATA 757-23N in the "vacation" scheme. These I decided to have custom-made for me (I have zero experience disassembling and repainting 1/400th scale models). The results were great, and I am so glad I went this route rather than trying to do them myself. The prices were very reasonable..US $100 each including shipping, I supplied the donor models.

My personal advice, if you want it, is that if it's a simple decaling job, and you have experience working with VERY small decals...go for it. For a complete repaint and decals; if you have experience with disasssembling and painting 1/400th scale models, give it a try. If you have any doubts (like I did). have them commisioned. I hope that helps at least a little.
I do have photos of all the models that I mentioned. The ATA 737-83N N332TZ, I simply removed the N301TZ registration from the Gemini Jets model, and used decals made by Draw Decal for the new tail number.


For my Overseas National DC-8, I had V1 decals make a custom decal blue stripe with 2 white stars to cover up the ONA titles to make N1976P match after the travel club Club USA purchased the aircraft for use based out of IND from May 1978 unttil mid-1980.
The prototype before purchase by Club USA:

The prototype after purchase by Club USA:


The model with the tail decals applied:


As for the customs that I had commissioned, American Trans Air 707-323C N8416 on an Aeroclassic mould:


And finally, ATA 757-23N N514AT in the "vacation" scheme on an NG mould:

 

[Columbus Aviation]

I've had that dilemma myself. I decalled one model myself (an ATA 737-800) for fleet-building simply by changing the regstration number. I also decaled an Overseas National Airways DC-8-21 (tail only) with custom decals that V1 decals made for me. These were very easy to do. I did also decide to make a custom American Trans Air 707-323C and also an ATA 757-23N in the "vacation" scheme. These I decided to have custom-made for me (I have zero experience disassembling and repainting 1/400th scale models). The results were great, and I am so glad I went this route rather than trying to do them myself. The prices were very reasonable..US $100 each including shipping, I supplied the donor models.

My personal advice, if you want it, is that if it's a simple decaling job, and you have experience working with VERY small decals...go for it. For a complete repaint and decals; if you have experience with disasssembling and painting 1/400th scale models, give it a try. If you have any doubts (like I did). have them commisioned. I hope that helps at least a little.
I do have photos of all the models that I mentioned. The ATA 737-83N N332TZ, I simply removed the N301TZ registration from the Gemini Jets model, and used decals made by Draw Decal for the new tail number.
View attachment 72150
View attachment 72151
For my Overseas National DC-8, I had V1 decals make a custom decal blue stripe with 2 white stars to cover up the ONA titles to make N1976P match after the travel club Club USA purchased the aircraft for use based out of IND from May 1978 unttil mid-1980.
The prototype before purchase by Club USA:
View attachment 72156
The prototype after purchase by Club USA:
View attachment 72157

The model with the tail decals applied:
View attachment 72155
View attachment 72154
As for the customs that I had commissioned, American Trans Air 707-323C N8416 on an Aeroclassic mould:
View attachment 72148
View attachment 72149
And finally, ATA 757-23N N514AT in the "vacation" scheme on an NG mould:
View attachment 72152
View attachment 72153

Personally, I'm afraid of having to disassemble a model / remove wings for more intricate decals. Any advice on that specifically?

 

[Purpleplane]

Same here, I'm just not comfortable removing the wings, etc. If it were me, I would consider having it commissioned. Price is always a concern, of course.

 

[GoLithuania]

I've had that dilemma myself. I decalled one model myself (an ATA 737-800) for fleet-building simply by changing the regstration number. I also decaled an Overseas National Airways DC-8-21 (tail only) with custom decals that V1 decals made for me. These were very easy to do. I did also decide to make a custom American Trans Air 707-323C and also an ATA 757-23N in the "vacation" scheme. These I decided to have custom-made for me (I have zero experience disassembling and repainting 1/400th scale models). The results were great, and I am so glad I went this route rather than trying to do them myself. The prices were very reasonable..US $100 each including shipping, I supplied the donor models.

My personal advice, if you want it, is that if it's a simple decaling job, and you have experience working with VERY small decals...go for it. For a complete repaint and decals; if you have experience with disasssembling and painting 1/400th scale models, give it a try. If you have any doubts (like I did). have them commisioned. I hope that helps at least a little.
I do have photos of all the models that I mentioned. The ATA 737-83N N332TZ, I simply removed the N301TZ registration from the Gemini Jets model, and used decals made by Draw Decal for the new tail number.
View attachment 72150
View attachment 72151
For my Overseas National DC-8, I had V1 decals make a custom decal blue stripe with 2 white stars to cover up the ONA titles to make N1976P match after the travel club Club USA purchased the aircraft for use based out of IND from May 1978 unttil mid-1980.
The prototype before purchase by Club USA:
View attachment 72156
The prototype after purchase by Club USA:
View attachment 72157

The model with the tail decals applied:
View attachment 72155
View attachment 72154
As for the customs that I had commissioned, American Trans Air 707-323C N8416 on an Aeroclassic mould:
View attachment 72148
View attachment 72149
And finally, ATA 757-23N N514AT in the "vacation" scheme on an NG mould:
View attachment 72152
View attachment 72153

Cool models, but I'm very inexperienced with decals, so I will send them out.

 

[Purpleplane]

Thank you. I'm really pleased with them. Hopefully prices will be reasonable for you also. I would refer you to the people that did my 2 models; but sadly, mine were the last 2 that they made...no longer doing them. I still want to have more customs done, so I'll need to find someone else myself.

 

[GoLithuania]

Thank you. I'm really pleased with them. Hopefully prices will be reasonable for you also. I would refer you to the people that did my 2 models; but sadly, mine were the last 2 that they made...no longer doing them. I still want to have more customs done, so I'll need to find someone else myself.

Have you tried BubblesAviation? He's active on MAF and does some customs from what I see.

 

[BubblesAviation]

Thank you. I'm really pleased with them. Hopefully prices will be reasonable for you also. I would refer you to the people that did my 2 models; but sadly, mine were the last 2 that they made...no longer doing them. I still want to have more customs done, so I'll need to find someone else myself.

I’m up for it. Send me a PM!

 

[pons399]

It’s absolutely worth it if you’re looking to “patch up” a model with minor printing issues. Anything beyond that looks crude.

The engine logos on this thing were too high, so I had them erased and re-added with decals. Looks seamless.