Since there seem to be some site issues, meaning that @piet and myself lost some WIP threads, I decided to post here for the time being on the Arco dei Fileni scratch build.

The link where this repo used to be is no longer working, I hope not all is lost:
http://imodeler.com/groups/work-in-progress-armor/forum/topic/arco-dei-fileni-lybia-1941-42/

The last few days, I tried to perfect the application of stenciling on wood, a technique I will need to add the inscriptions to the Arch in the front (over the archway itself) and inside, above the bas-reliefs. I tried several techniques but now optimized one using acrylic primer and an inktjet print on transparent slides material.

The procedure goes as follows:

1. Replicate the original inscription on a text editor (I used MS word)
   

   

2. Export as a .pdf and make a test print to inspect the dpi quality
3. Mirror the .pdf to a new .pdf because you'll need to print in mirror image to make the result readable. I used an online tool: https://www.img2go.com/rotate-image
   

   

4. Make a final test print on paper and then on transparent plastic foil used for slides (mind the correct side of the transparencies)
5. Add a thin layer of acrylic primer to the model, there where you want the stencil to be. It is important that the layer is thick enough so that there are no dry spots. The layer of primer should also be evenly distributed.
6. Carefully place the stencil on foil top down on the layer of primer. There is no room for error here, so at best, the placement should be spot-on from the start. If you're doing everything right, you should be able to read the inscription normally through the foil! If you read the mirror image, you've done something wrong. The ink layer from the mirror print should now be in contact with the layer of primer.
7. Apply pressure ro remove air bubbles from between the wooden surface and the plastic foil. I used the edge of a credit card for that. The entire inscription should now be embedded into the primer.
8. Let dry 15 minutes and then carefully lift the foil. The inscription remains in the primer as it partially diffused into it. The contrast you'll get is never as good as the paper print but this is as good as it gets.

I will add the inscriptions shown over the next days using this method, looking fwd for the results.

I also painted, weathered and applied the main inscription on the arc.

I'll keep you posted on further progress! Happy modeling!

This is looking marvelous Michel. Well done!

Spot on!

Cheering you on to the finish line! Looking fabulous!

Michel, @michel-verschuere
Your skill set never ceases to amaze me ! This is something I would have never attempted on my own. All that hard work has really paid off.

Well done !

Here is a status update.

In the last entry I was at the point where three main jobs still had to be completed on the Arc.

1. Finishing and painting of the statues
2. Adding the text on the inner Arc and the front and back portal
3. Making the bas-reliefs that need to be placed inside the Arc

Today, I can report on all three and also that the statues are now finished. In real life, they looked like this:

I have now added them to the tower, not by gluing them but by 'pinning' them in place by a piece of wire. This is because I may give the Arc a finishing weathering still and then these ornaments are better removed.

I came a long way on this one build, probably the longest in my entire modelling 'career' but then again, there were months where my time on the bench was very limited still.

I also progressed on selecting the technique to add the text on the Arc. After some experimentation, I decided working with a clear decal, onto which the text was printed using an inkjet printer, was the best manner to do it. Took me trial and error five techniques over but this should work.

As far as the bas-reliefs are concerned, there is progress there too. I managed to draw a 2D picture of the pattern based on a myriad of pictures (the original is destroyed) and now it comes to selecting the right base material. I am not 100% happy with the plaster blocks I molded. Seems to me like scratching the pattern in them will not be easy because the material is not so dense. I may remake the slabs in clay however. To be continued...

I will keep you updated.

@david-polak I hope the waiting was worth it!

Happy modelling, Michel.

Thanks Michael @mrieth, yes we learn everyday when building models. Steepest curve is scratch but it's not exclusive. I learn with every OOB build as well.