Archer Fine Transfers 1/35 Scale
Dry Transfer Markings
by Cookie Sewell
Set AR35209B; U.S. Gauges and Interior Stencils; price US $8.95
Set AR35209W; U. S. Gauges and Interior Stencils; price US $8.95
Set AR35210S; Generic Placards (black on silver); price US $9.95
Set AR35210W; Generic Placards (black on white); price US $995
Set AR35210X; Generic Placards (black on brass); price US $9.95
Set AR35211; US Interior Placards; price US $7.95
Advantages: all cleanly printed with amazing levels of detail and readable
under a jeweler's loupe; perfect finishing touches, especially for softskins
Disadvantages: May seem expensive, but many models can be done with one
sheet
Rating: Highly Recommended
Recommendation: for all US armor and military vehicle fans
Woody Vondracek is the best one I know at doing up markings and detailing
sheets, and these latest six from him are absolutely gorgeous. While some
modelers squawk about the prices (realize each sheet is only about 1"
x 2.5") it is the quality of the sheets and their ease of use that
makes them a true winner.
The first two (209) provide the dashboard markings found on most US armored
and softskin vehicles from about 1940 to the present. The sheets each
include dial faces for (left to right on the sheets) oil pressure, tachometer/engine
hours gauge/ speedometer/odometer, water temperature, and more oil pressure
gauges. The rest of the markings are standard placards painted on in the
cab or driver's compartment area – weapons, equipment stowage, and
warnings. The white instrument faces appear, from collectors shows, to
be correct for tactical vehicles up to about mid 1942 (jeeps, trucks,
M3 White Scout Cars, and M2/M3 halftracks in particular) and the black
faces from then to the present. I suggest getting one of each, for the
white stencils are more often found on OD vehicles and the black ones
on white backgrounds such as inside tanks or APCs.
The second three sheets are the standard plates screwed onto the dashboard
or other area of a tactical vehicle, such as shift patterns, construction
data, winch operation directions, etc. They will do a lot for a jeep (I
may have misread it, but while FORD and BANTAM show up well, I could swear
the other one reads WILLIS and not WILLYS. But since it's about 2 point
type it may just be my eyes.)
The last one covers decals stuck on various parts of the inside of armored
vehicles for stowage. There is a large sense of humor at play here which
is obvious under the loop as well, but I won't spoil it for anyone who
wants to get even with judges!
Overall these are all winners and once again Woody has responded to modelers'
needs with really useful items.
Thanks to Woody Vondracek of Archer Fine Transfers for the review samples.
http://www.archertransfers.com
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