Both painting and decaling have given you issues, my friend @eb801. Looking forward to your approach in tackling the decal issues.

Spiros @fiveten. Sometimes modeling karma throws one a curve ball and hits you right in the face. I refuse to give up! Thanks for following along.

Decal Wars Continued...

These are the worst decals I have ever dealt with. A total pain but I am resolved to make them work by patching the exposed areas with decal slices that match the colors. I was going to use the Korean War yellow bands included on the Hasegawa sheet but the yellow is a completely different shade than the Warbird Decals which are noticeably brighter and richer. I just can't believe these Warbird Decals which are printed so nicely turned out to be so uncooperative. They curl, fold, chip, break off and do everything to make this a real ordeal. But slowly I am making the repairs and I think I can conquer this disaster. For as thin as they are, these Warbird Decals do not respond well to MicroSol and I have to beat them into submission to get them to settle down. Just another frustrating learning experience and major bump on the road to completion.

@johnb - what I have noticed works best to beat these decals into submission is simply good old spit on my finger tip And using it as a burnisher especially on these awful yellow Korean War band markings that crack like crazy. I guess I should have coated these sheets with liquid decal film but they looked so perfect.

@johnb, @fiveten:

"I Fought the Decals and the Decals Won!"

Cripes! These yellow bands are just too thick and refuse to snuggle down despite using a half a bottle of MicroSol. Pieces were chunking off just by looking at them. I admitted defeat and pulled them off and am currently looking for an alternative. I think I will put this Sabre on the shelf and return to it down the road after I cool off.

However, I did pull the trigger and ordered a set of CuttingEdge Sabre stencils and bands. I've never had any issues with CE.

Like what brands of decal set solvents you recommend, George @gblair ?

Spiros@fiveten - if they don't work, I'm going to mask the darned thing off and airbrush the bands myself. And to think I thought this would be an easy build.