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Small Scale Scene - Transfer List
(that means Decals!)

This is not an attempt to list all the 'after market' transfer sheets that are available for AFV modellers, but at least an attempt to give as wide a variety of manufacturers that I can, and an idea of what you will find. As ever, these are based on me having actually having seen and had a go with them, rather than just reporting on something I've only been told about. Aircraft modellers have been well served for many years, and it is only really since about the year 2000 that we have seen a real growth in what is available. Don't get me wrong, some have been around a lot longer than that, just that recent years (this is written in 2004) have seen a significant growth in what is available. Details of the Manufacturers involved, their address etc, should be found on the separate "Manufacturers" listing (link above), rather than repeat the information here. Once you see them all together it can be a surprise just how many options there are.
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Listed in alphabetical order, each entry has an indication of what style of transfers they are. There are effectively 3 styles I've come across, with Conventional water-slide transfers, Dry-Rub type, and finally one I'll describe as Skytrex where you position the transfer on the model, and then soak off the carrier sheet from the front. I don't know who came up with that, but as the first ones I recall were from Skytrex, let's give them the credit.

In addition, there is a note of what scales the manufacturers make them for. Please note that this doesn't mean that all their products are available in all scales if they do more than one, you need to check with the manufacturers / dealers direct to check current availability.

These are just the ones I have seen, so if I come across more, I'll add them as we go.

(August 2004)

Accurate Armour

Conventional

1/35

A variety of sheets, with both WW2 and modern subjects, originally designed primarily at subjects within their range of 1/35 resin models. Since then, lots of new plastic kit releases have meant they can be used more widely, even where the original resin models are no longer available. Amongst the sets, some particularly useful ones for British equipment, both WW2 and modern. Very nicely produced transfers, with lots to use on each sheet.

Ace

Conventional

1/35 and 1/72

Only a few sheets, but in both scales. Eastern Front subjects, with Russian AFVs plus some for captured German vehicles as well, which is perhaps the most unusual. Certainly opens up some quite 'different' options for your model finishes.

Al.By.

Conventional

1/72

Only a few sheets, and available for some time now. Particularly attractive for having French markings. The Al.By. Range of resin models is one of the best there is, and the transfers complement them well. It remains a shame that they always seem to remain difficult / time consuming to get hold of.

Aleran Miniatures

Conventional

1/72

Coming from Detroit Michegan in the USA, this has grown into a really great range of transfer sheets. Lots to use on each sheet, and well priced. Milicast is the UK distributor, and who have introduced them to me. Lots of very useful and interesting subjects, such as Spanish Civil War, Sherman 'Aces', Churchills, Italian North African markings, a variety of French, Soviet, BEF, British Arm of Service signs, German licence plates and much more.

Almark

Conventional

1/72

This was the first manufacturer of transfer sheets for AFV model that I can recall, from the early 1970s. A few sets are still available through Bull Models but you'll need to check with them to see what they have. Eclipsed these days by the likes of Aleran, but still some interesting and useful bits and pieces, plus they play a part in the development of our hobby.

Archer Fine Transfers

Dry-Rub

1/35 and 1/72

This is an excellent series of transfer sheets, again from the USA. Very good quality and well researched subjects. For those of us in the UK, then Historex Agents import the 1/35 ones, but PDI Models import the 1/72 scale range. I find their US Stars and German crosses particularly useful as they are so simple to apply. They do things like German turret numbers in a variety of sizes and colours.

Armo

Conventional

1/72

A few sets available I believe, though I have only seen the one, which is for Shermans in Polish Service. Nicely printed and again a useful choice of subject.

Bison Decals

Conventional

1/35 and 1/72

Originally known as AFV-Decals, they changed their name to Bison. Now doing a mixture of simple sheets that are printed on an Oki printer, with plain black markings, plus much more colourful silk-screen printed sheets, which are printed for them by Microscale in the USA (who have a fine reputation for model aircraft transfer sheets). Most subjects here are done in both scales. Unusual sets such as for the conflict in Yugoslavia for T-55s and so on, and British AFVs in Normandy and more recently in the Gulf during Operation Telic.

BW Models

Conventional

1/76

Having grown quietly over the years, this has marking for post war British army equipment, as per the models that make up the impressive BW Models range. Also includes a lot for emergency equipment.

Cromwell Models

Conventional

1/35

Only a few small sets for modern British equipment, and aimed at models within their own resin range. A number are now superseded by the release of plastic kits.

Decalcomaniacs

Conventional

1/35 and 1/72

Another range from the USA, been going for a few years now. Made by some enthusiasts, they do some unusual subjects, mainly in 1/35 scale. Look out for some of their Middle East subjects. However, they have done some small scale sheets as well. Printed by computer they are not to the standards of colourful silk-screen printing but still very useful.

Echelon Fine Details

Conventional

1/35 and 1/72

A manufacturer from Singapore, they first started out with the larger scal sheets. More recently, at the start of 2006, they have added them in the smaller scale of 1/72 as well. The sheets themselves are colourful, and printed to a high standard by Microscale Decals of the USA. For those who are unfamiliar with them, Microscale has a great reputation for their aftermarket decal (it’s transfers I tell you!!!) sheets among aircraft modelers. Very good full colour ‘instructin’ sheets give full details of each full model, along with placement of the individual items, and always quotes the references they have used to establish the markings correctly. Large scale range is imported to the UK by Accurate Armour, but we wait to see who will be sellingthe smaller scale sheets here.

Fingerprint Designs

Conventional

1/35 and 1/72

This is a lovely series of transfers, where 1/35 scale sheets are also produced in the smaller scale, and combining the content of 2 or 3 larger sheets into the one smaller scale selection. Also include a number of little 'extras' on the sheets, such as common vehicle stencils and warning markings. They have a web site so you can check that out for current availability. One of their original sheets was for the interior stencils in 1/35 for the Tiger 1, great for the Academy kit. New releases are well spread apart, as again this is a series produced by an enthusiast and the sales of each supports the production of anything new.

MIG

Dry-Rub

1/72

Just a couple of sheets so far, but neatly printed and presented. So far some Russian and some German vehicle markings.

Panzerprints

Skytrex

1/72

Produced in the same style as the Skytrex sheets, one sheet here has enough German turret numbers to model an entire German Panzer Division! Other sheets have more German subjects plus some for the British 1st Airborne Division.

PDI Model Supplies

Conventional

1/72

Sold by PDI, but actually the result of a private production run from a chap in France, this limited run series started with one sheet, with all the bumper codes for US Armoured Divisions in North West Europe. It is a huge host of little white codes for AFVs, trucks and Jeeps alike. It will do for many hundreds of models and will keep you going with these for years.

Resicast

Conventional

1/35

A few sets, particularly for British Airborne units, which Resicast have featured on in their resin figure range. Very neat sets.

Roco Minitanks

Conventional

1/87

Some useful transfer sheets over the years, particularly for modern German and US equipment. Check their catalogue / website for what sets are currently available.

Scale Model Accessories

Dry-Rub

1/35 and 1/72

A number of small sheets of dry rub decals, but they work well. Includes German and Allied subjects, plus some interesting ones like Red Cross symbols.

Skytrex

1/72

These have been about for some years now, and remain a very useful resource to keep handy. With white stars, Russian and German markings as well as British, they are readily available. Trim them from the sheet and remove the backing paper which leaves the 'tacky' back of the transfer to stick to the model. Rub it down with a damp tissue, or I like to use a cotton bud, and the main carrier paper just soaks off, leaving the transfer in place. It is a bit different but works really well.

Starmers Armour

Conventional

1/72

One of the relatively new ranges over recent years, and produced by Mike Starmer, these have been well researched and you get loads of individual items on each sheet. So very good value for money and very useful subject matter. For those interested in the BEF, then this is a good place to look.

Techmod

Conventional

1/35 and 1/72

Some unusual Polish subjects, but not surprising from a Polish producer. I have found on the couple of their sheets I have tried to have a tendency to disintegrate in the water so you need to take care with these.

Verlinden Productions

Dry-Rub

1/35

These have been about for some years now, though I am not conscious of any recent additions to the series. Worth checking their catalogue to see what is currently available.