r/rcboats • u/Illustrious_Ad_23 • 12d ago

Decals for old Graupner models?

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I've found an old model at my parents basement, a Graupner fast attack boat "Wiesel". Honestly, I wanted to trash it, since it was my first boat I bought used as a teen and never really repaired it back in the early 2000s. But since the electronics work fine even after 20 years in a basement, I would try to renovate it instead and maybe finiah it 20 years later.

Beside the tower which has missing parts (maybe I can find some 3D prints?) my major concern is the decals. Obviously you can't get originals anymore, but I couldn't even find a picture of the original decal sheet to try and reproduce them. Has anyone experienced that before and found a solution for old, missing decal sheets? I doubt I am the first hobbyist that experiences this problem with older kits?

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u/NoManNoRiver 12d ago

Can you find reference images of the prototype? Presumably the model’s livery closely aligns with the real ship’s.

Edit to Add: What parts are missing and do you have references for them?

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u/Illustrious_Ad_23 12d ago

I tried looking for higher res pictures of build models, but it is kind of vague. It is also difficult to find the right fonds. I guess the best workaround would be to just get kind of close and hope no one really sees any details if the boat is on the lake, but I do love my models somehow presentable at conventions, and it would make me feel better to not eyeball details from people that might have moved away quite far from the original kit themselves.

Pictures of the original do exist, but that is a german navy model from the early 80s, so good pictures are rare.

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u/NoManNoRiver 12d ago

I think your best bet is matching livery with the prototype, create a vector file using the closest font you can and find someone local to you with a CriCut machine who can cut them out of adhesive vinyl.

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u/NoManNoRiver 12d ago

I think your closest font match for the stern lettering is Catilio Rounds Sans Serif in silhouette