Gekko Decals Now At Hannants!

AeroplaneDriver · November 01, 2007, 07:36:23 AM

I got my set when I got home yesterday , and they are superb!!

One incredibly minor niggle is the same on I have with several other decal manufacturers: The fit inside the zipper bag is so tight it is hard to remove the sheet without creasing the corners.

My only other complaint is that the wife would have a cow if I bought another 20 sheets!!!

Excellent stuff Richard!

Some ideas popping up from ogling the sheet:

Airfix 1/48 Hawk 100 in the Kahu allover green scheme with the low-viz markings

AMT 1/48 S-3 in full color coastal patrol colors

Monogram 1/48 F-18A in Navy colors serving aboard HMAS Sydney as part of a combined ANZAC ari wing

Academy 1/48 Hunter F.6 chosen instead of the A-4

Hobbes · November 01, 2007, 08:14:22 AM

Quote
One incredibly minor niggle is the same on I have with several other decal manufacturers: The fit inside the zipper bag is so tight it is hard to remove the sheet without creasing the corners.

So use a knife. You don't need the bag to remain watertight anyway.

Spellbinder99 · November 01, 2007, 04:06:59 PM

See you at the SAPMA show tomorrow Richard, I will have a small table there myself.
Yes, going to shed some excess stash....

Cheers

Tony

AeroplaneDriver · November 01, 2007, 05:14:34 PM

Quote
Quote
One incredibly minor niggle is the same on I have with several other decal manufacturers: The fit inside the zipper bag is so tight it is hard to remove the sheet without creasing the corners.
So use a knife. You don't need the bag to remain watertight anyway.

But I'm wierd about keeping my packaging intact.

Anyway, I hope nobody took my comment as a criticism of Richard, Gekko, or the decals themselves. It's just about worth the price just for the profiles he has included! It was just a bit of a vent regarding the industry-standard packaging.

My only concern with the decals is that they will end up like my TSR.2 Xtradecal set: Too treasured to be used on anything!

Gekko_1 · November 01, 2007, 07:11:20 PM

QuoteI got my set when I got home yesterday , and they are superb!!

Excellent, thank you!

QuoteOne incredibly minor niggle is the same on I have with several other decal manufacturers: The fit inside the zipper bag is so tight it is hard to remove the sheet without creasing the corners.

Don't even get me started on bloody zip lock bags!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Firstly I blame Cartograf, the decal printers, because I've had to trim about 2mm off both sides of every single decal sheet in order to be able to get them into the bags!

Its very time consuming and coasts me because I have to buy cutting blades and strips for my cutting board!

Then there's trying to find the bloody things at the right size!!!!!! Do you think I can find anybody in the entirety of Australia that stocks the US size 6" x 9"! No way! So I have to order them specially from the US, another additional expense!!!!!!!!!!!

These are expenses that I don't pass on to you guys either!

QuoteMy only other complaint is that the wife would have a cow if I bought another 20 sheets!!!

Excellent stuff Richard!

What your wife doesn't know.....................................

QuoteSome ideas popping up from ogling the sheet:

AMT 1/48 S-3 in full color coastal patrol colors

A Kiwi S-3! Now why didn't I think of that??

..................(walks off in deep thought).

Gekko_1 · November 01, 2007, 07:15:01 PM

QuoteSee you at the SAPMA show tomorrow Richard, I will have a small table there myself.
Yes, going to shed some excess stash....

Cheers

Tony

OK Tony, see you there, but you'll have to introduce yourself as I have no idea who you are?

My RNZAF A-4K Skyhawk is currently 99.5% complete, it'll be ready by Saturday morning though!

Richard.

Gekko_1 · November 01, 2007, 07:17:11 PM

QuoteMy only concern with the decals is that they will end up like my TSR.2 Xtradecal set: Too treasured to be used on anything!

You know how to fix that little issue don't you!

Richard.

Spellbinder99 · November 01, 2007, 07:22:04 PM

That's cool Richard, we have met before at a previous SAPMA show, but it was a few years back now. Now I am based back in Adelaide for good I hope to make it regularly.

Cheers

Tony

elmayerle · November 01, 2007, 11:57:52 PM

QuoteMonogram 1/48 F-18A in Navy colors serving aboard HMAS Sydney as part of a combined ANZAC ari wing

Hmm, would that be in NZ markings or combined markings of the two countries? Or would there be special markings for the ANZAC forces?

AeroplaneDriver · November 02, 2007, 06:24:11 AM

Quote
QuoteMonogram 1/48 F-18A in Navy colors serving aboard HMAS Sydney as part of a combined ANZAC ari wing

Hmm, would that be in NZ markings or combined markings of the two countries? Or would there be special markings for the ANZAC forces?

My initial thoughts are just straight NZ markings.

One backstory I've tossed around for a few years in order to build carrier-based aircraft in the markings of countries that could never afford a carrier involves Britain approaching NATO, Australia, etc before CVA01 was cancelled. By offering carriers to NATO and an ANZAC alliance the build costs could be spread over 4-5 hulls and it opens up the alternative timeline where a NATO-operated carrier has a German/Dutch/Norwegian/Belgian/etc airwing as well as allowing more RAN types combined with an NZ naval component.

Bryan H. · November 02, 2007, 07:15:12 AM

Hi Richard,

I've sorta been out-of-the-loop for a while. Do you have a new website for Gekko Graphics?

Bryan

GTX · November 02, 2007, 01:26:24 PM

QuoteOne backstory I've tossed around for a few years in order to build carrier-based aircraft in the markings of countries that could never afford a carrier involves Britain approaching NATO, Australia, etc before CVA01 was cancelled. By offering carriers to NATO and an ANZAC alliance the build costs could be spread over 4-5 hulls and it opens up the alternative timeline where a NATO-operated carrier has a German/Dutch/Norwegian/Belgian/etc airwing as well as allowing more RAN types combined with an NZ naval component.

Interesting concept. The idea of a special ANZAC marking is interesting too - might have to think a bit on that for a suitable common theme -a roo carrying a kiwi maybe

.

Regards,

Greg

NARSES2 · November 03, 2007, 02:33:31 AM

Quote[One backstory I've tossed around for a few years in order to build carrier-based aircraft in the markings of countries that could never afford a carrier involves Britain approaching NATO, Australia, etc before CVA01 was cancelled. By offering carriers to NATO and an ANZAC alliance the build costs could be spread over 4-5 hulls and it opens up the alternative timeline where a NATO-operated carrier has a German/Dutch/Norwegian/Belgian/etc airwing as well as allowing more RAN types combined with an NZ naval component.

Interesting concept Nick and one that isn't as far fetched as might have seemed a few years ago. Certainly gives a plausable backstory for the builds.

Interestingly I picked up a book to browse in Waterstones the other day (didn't buy it - no Rad I put it back on the shelf not in my bag

) on Dutch pilots serving with the FAA in WWII. Suprisingly large number of them and they havn't had anything like the coverage of "foreign" pilots in the RAF

Chris

Gekko_1 · November 04, 2007, 03:57:40 PM

QuoteHi Richard,

I've sorta been out-of-the-loop for a while. Do you have a new website for Gekko Graphics?

Bryan

Hi Bryan,

no, no website at the moment. I may open an eBay site though.

I haven't contacted the US distributors just yet as I'm waiting for zip-lock bags to arrive from the States so I can pack the decals and have them ready.

I did send an order to FlightDecs, but I think he's sold out, and hasn't re-ordered yet.

You can get the decals directly from me and pay by PayaPal if you'd like?

My next sheet will be a re-release of my Top Gun sheet, only this time around all the decals will be screen printed and I have a few corrections to add to the sheet and two additional Skyhawks too. So there'll be a total of 6 Skyhawks on the sheet this time.

Cheers

Richard.
[email protected]