Looking for decals: Tamiya Lotus 49B 1/12

[barnello]

hi, I am new here and I was wondering if someone could help me...

I bought an old Tamiya Lotus 49B 1/12 kit for 50$ on Ebay; the price was so low because it missed the entire decal sheet!



I read that there is the possibility to print the decals on blank decals sheets but I can't find any template of the original decal sheet on the internet

Do you know where I can find it, or maybe how can I draw it from scratches?

[cinqster]

Welcome aboard Barnello.

You may be able to use the MTR Speed conversion decals for making the Gold Leaf 72C Lotus, but not sure they are still available:

http://www.macsmodeling.com/1-12%20STORE.htm

Or, try to buy new decals from Japan (Hobby Link Japan or Rainbow 10 Models may help). Tamiya have not re-run this kit for years so they may not have them though!

If you want to make you own decals you'll need a good quality correctly sized scan from the original decals. You'll need vectorised drawing software (like Adobe Illustrator) to re-draw them with separate layers for each colour, but it will be a hard job if you've not used it before as you need to have an understanding of print preparation.

You will also need to print onto decal paper, preferably using an expensive Alps printer as their inks are waterproof. If you are stuck with an inkjet printer you can buy clear and white inkjet decal sheets which come with a spray sealing varnish to stop the ink running when the decals wet. However, you won't be able to print the lettering in gold unless you use an Alps printer as they can print gold and silver foils.

None of the answers are easy I'm afraid!

[barnello]

thanks for your quick answer cingster!

on Macsmodeling I found the article MCLDC-16
and I think it's the original decal sheet of the Lutus 49B (monaco version). I sent an email asking for availability but no answer yet...

Printing the decals could be possible: I can use an high quality laser printer at the university but the real problem is to find a good quality scan from the original decal sheet...

[jaykay640]

Hi Barnello

Mac should be able to tell you if the Museum Collection decal is still available. HLJ also shows it as backordered: http://www.hlj.com/product/MCLDC-16
It may take some time though because MC is a bit slow sometimes it seems.

It wouldn't be a problem to scan the original decals but that won't help you really if you have a colour laser printer. You'd have to print white and gold so an ALPS printer would be needed. There's another place though that offers them already as ALPS prints: http://members.optusnet.com.au/pattosplace/home.html
Check under L for Lotus and then scroll down.

[cinqster]

Originally Posted by barnello

thanks for your quick answer cingster!

on Macsmodeling I found the article MCLDC-16
and I think it's the original decal sheet of the Lutus 49B (monaco version). I sent an email asking for availability but no answer yet...

Printing the decals could be possible: I can use an high quality laser printer at the university but the real problem is to find a good quality scan from the original decal sheet...

No probs, I have an old set of decals somewhere. I also have a very old Gold Leaf cigarette box somewhere, just to get the Pantone colour from it!

Can't promise anything as I'm really busy at Uni at the moment, but will have a look for them over the weekend to scan. They are yellowed though, so you will have to re-draw them, which will be fun! It would take me a long old while to do them myself (and I did graphics for years!)

Not sure about using laser printers and decal paper as I've never done it before - I'm sure someone will be along soon that has! (sorry Jaykay, just saw you're post!)

I had the contact details for MTR Speed years back but can't find it now. I'm sure he was based in South America? Maybe Mario on Modelersite.com will know a number for him. He's a very helpful chap!

I've just got an Alps, but I've not had the time to set it up properly yet and will be busy at Uni until September at the earliest. If you can wait until after then. I may be able to help.

[petesy]

F1 Specialties has a very comprehensive decal set:

http://www.f1specialties.com/main/conversions/l49.php

[barnello]

petsey I think the link you gave me is only for the conversion decal sheet for the Lotus 49B... I looked for the entire decal sheet but I think f1specialities doesn't sell it