Graphics

This blog cover the graphics.

Overview
In a previous blog the process for creating the labels for the panels was outlined.  

The interior graphics have a major advantage over the exterior one, that is you know the finished size and using the process outlined in the earlier blog work well for this builder.

The exterior graphics proved to be a whole new problem with no ideas about size so the builder had to scale the necessary graphics off a illustration for a decal set for a 1:48 plastic model.

Alley Cat Decal Sheet illustration captured off the web

With the graphic above open in Inkscape the measuring tool was used to find the distance from the spinner to the tail being of a 106 mm

The length for a Tucano is approx 34'  or 10360 mm 
Scaling factor 10360 / 106 =  98

Replica scale = 0.7

To calculate the size for any decal :

Measured dimension x Replica scale x Scaling factor = Decal dimension

All graphics were drawn in DrafSight a 2D Cad package and colour corrected in Paint.net if required and finally sized in Inkscape.

Note: All packages are shareware

After that you can have them printed on vinyl for installation when the aircraft is painted or as required in the cockpit. The satin black has by luck proved to be a near perfect match for the paint used on the panels.

Breaker Panel

Note: Cockpit graphics, these have 1 mm added to allow a final trim when fixed to the plate.

Comment
Two of the graphics had to be customised as on the prototype they both have warnings about things that can go bang or standing back and making things go bang, this could create a reluctance in a world full of OHS to professional help being available quickly.

With the Tucano having so many paint schemes and the replica being so close this technique will allow the development of graphics from any flat illustration. These are all out for printing so if it works as hoped it will be all good.

The text used is the same as on a CT4 RAF trainer seen
at the last Rylstone fly in

This was modified from graphics seen on the UK dealer Tucano
The black background was chosen over clear as it
will become very untidy over time. 

Construction is still proceeding but slow to finish at this time - lots of small issues and generally this builder shooting himself in the foot.