Easy Carrier upgrade with stickers…

Per @Midnight_Reaper’s request, I’m working on a USS Atlanta and an IJN Agano for Light Cruisers. The Atlanta has existing open-source examples; the Agano I’ll have to rebuild from bits and photos (all current models are pay-only).

I plan on printing some out from Siredblood’s link.  I watched his video and you can certainly do it that way.  My only concern with adhesive backed “stickers” is that with all the handling of game pieces, I can imagine that the stickers begin to peel up after a while. If you’re going to use the adhesive backed stickers, might I recommend to apply thin CA glue around the outside edge of the sticker after you’ve burnished it down on the carrier deck.  You can get some thin CA at your local hobby shop where they sell RC planes, or just order it online.  Because it is literally as thin as water, you’ll need to apply it with some sort of makeshift precision applicator.  But after that, you won’t have to deal with annoying stickers that don’t want to stay down tight.

Also, if you use a glossy type sticker paper, after you’ve applied it and the carrier is “all done”, spray the entire piece with a light coat of Testor’s Dullcote spray laquer.  You’ll get rid of the sheen both on the plastic and from the glossy paper. All the colors will “blend” together and the piece will look much better.  :wink:

Thank you for the positive feedback! I forgot to say that in the previous post, and it’s very important that I do. It’s very encouraging and motivating to get good feedback, and we certainly appreciate it. The above mentioned four Essex class carriers are complete, a long with several other ships of the US Navy, so its time to update the thread. Just ships by FOlewnik in this post. More aircraft are almost done but I haven’t put magnets in them yet (so not really done), so no aircraft pictures this post.

We’ll start with the two “odd men out” of the HBG sculpt Baltimore Class Heavy Cruisers. Why “odd men out”? Because in the below picture we have on the left, the USS Unnamed Baltimore Class Cruiser Wearing Measure 31a, Design 9C, and on the right is the USS Columbus (CA 74), which wasn’t commissioned until June 8, 1945. The cruiser with the long name is wearing a design that was never used, but was taken from a period design found at https://www.wikiwand.com/en/World_War_II_US_Navy_dazzle_camouflage_measures_31,_32_and_33:_cruisers. The USS Columbus is wearing a Measure 12 Modified designed by FOlewnik to match the pieces we’ll be using for the US Atlantic fleet. These will get aircraft added, but at the time of the photographs the decals on the wings of the aircraft were drying.
DSC_0510a.jpg
DSC_0511a.jpg
DSC_0512a.jpg
Pattern_sheet,_MS-31a_9C_for_Baltimore_class.jpg

Next up are some metal destroyers from GHQ. Below on the left, the very brave USS Johnston (DD-557) painted in MS-3_/6D as it looked when it was “Sunk by Japanese Warships off Samar October 25 1944,” and next to it is USS Van Valkenburgh (DD-656) painted in camouflage Measure 31, Design 9d. All Wartime photos taken from Navsource.org, a great resource for US Navy history buffs.
DSC_0514a.jpg
DSC_0515a.jpg
DSC_0516a.jpg

Below, the real USS Johnston shortly before her final battle, and the official design sheet:
DSC_0516a0555715.jpg
Pattern_sheet,_MS-31-32-33_6D_for_Fletcher_class.jpg

A great wartime picture of the USS Van Valkenburgh, which is the same on both sides:
DSC_0516a0565603.jpg

Now on to these two. From GHQ, USS The Sullivans (DD-537) painted in Measure 1, and the HBG sculpt light cruiser USS Marblehead (CL-12) who always wore Measure 2 throughout the war. If I can get FOlewnik to put the Shamrock on the first stack of The Sullivans when he puts the scout aircraft on the Marblehead, as seen in the below wartime photograph, I’ll come back and edit the post.
DSC_0520a.jpg
DSC_0522a.jpg
DSC_0519a.jpg
DSC_0520a0553740.jpg
DSC_0520a0401208.jpg

The post previous to this post showed four Essex Class sculpts from HBG getting prepped and started with a base coat. Those are now completed and I had too much fun playing with them and the aircraft (that are complete so far) while I was taking photographs. I’m pretty sure I didn’t make any wooshing sea or aircraft noises or FOlewnik would have laughed at me. I was tempted though, and here’s why:
DSC_0524a.jpg
DSC_0525a.jpg
DSC_0526a.jpg
Above we have the first of the Long Hull Essex Class, USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) on the left looking as she did after her April 1945 refit from suffering a Kamikaze Attack on January 21, 1945, and USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) on the right. The Bunker Hill is wearing Measure 33, Design 6A, of which Navsource says, “Her port side camouflage pattern was the most intricate design applied to any carrier.” One glance can confirm that!
DSC_0526a021772.jpg

The final two Essex Class carriers are the USS Essex (CV-9) herself, and the USS Bennington (CV-20). The Essex is wearing a unique pattern, Measure 32v6, Design 10D, adapted from a destroyer pattern specifically for the long hulled Essex. The Bennington is painted in Measure 32, Design 17A.
DSC_0527a.jpg
DSC_0528a.jpg
DSC_0529a.jpg
DSC_0529aPattern_sheet,_MS_32a_17A_for_Essex_class.jpg
DSC_0529aUSS_Essex_(CV-9)_in_MS_32_6-10D_camouflage.jpg

Finally, some group pictures just for fun:
DSC_0531a.jpg
DSC_0532a.jpg
DSC_0533a.jpg
DSC_0534a.jpg
Thank you for checking out the post! If you liked it, please click the little heart. I’m trying to figure out why our post is only rated with a 2 when it seems it should be a bit higher if the other likes are any indication.

After watching DK’s video- yes, we have the 2mm magnets.  Edit to add: we’ve actually used the 1/16 x 1/32 magnets available from http://www.primalhorizon.com/products.php.  The magnets are their most popular product right now and the link takes you right to them.

Damn……they are excellent.

Hey all, new to the Axis and Allies forums and to customizing my ships. I apologize if this was answered elsewhere, but how do I size these carrier decals down to fit my ships? They look much bigger, and I’m assuming I need to arrange them onto a photoshopped page of some sort?

As a side note, i’m curious if anyone has made country symbols on a handy one piece sheet with all the countries included so that I can print out one set and decal up my whole set of models. I’m not sure if they have them in a 6mm size, or 8mm size etc.

If not I might have to try this on my own, but I didn’t want to recreate work someone else has already done.

Richard,

@Maofator:

Looking good Mr Johnson!
––Yes,…VERY NICE!
Although I’ve told you in person I realize I’d overlooked giving you some well deserved public acclaim. Your "stickers"are a novel approach and look very crisp and clean. Let’s talk further on the project I’d discussed with you earlier. Again,…Wel Done!
Tall Paul

You guys might want to check these sites out. Or just scroll up above this post.

@Imperious:

I found it.

http://corseceng.com/omni-stand/

This link has everything you need.  I will be using the black 30 mm stand with peg and micro magnets from the above link.

I think for global 40 sets will suffice, possibly 50. Need micro magnets for all the planes ( about 80-90) and 40 for the stands.

@Imperious:

I am combining the resources for making these bases.

This site has the proper magnets. Still looking for metal rods that are pre-cut about 2 inches.

A friend of mine has the most perfect examples. Here is what he did ( reprinted from email).

I bought the magnets from K&J Magnetics…  They were almost the smallest available size with a hole in the center to fit a 1/16" rod.

I drilled holes in pennies, glued 1/16 inch brass rod into them, placed the magnet on top and glued it down.

http://www.kjmagnetics.com/products.asp?cat=10
http://www.kjmagnetics.com/proddetail.asp?prod=RC22  ( this link has the base with 1/8 OD hole)

@Gargantua:

http://www.axisandallies.org/forums/index.php?topic=21083.0

Is a link where YOU personally link the instructional!

Also
http://www.axisandallies.org/forums/index.php?topic=21207.0

@Gargantua:

Somewhere in the customizations section a guy made a whole tutorial, with downloadable PDF’s.

Other Links

http://www.axisandallies.org/forums/index.php?topic=22472.0

http://www.downloadonline.info/dl/870394/magnetic_ac/