Stencils and Templates
 

TechStar
(A Division of the VLS Corporation)

Reviewed by Brett Green

Item TC2004 - German AFV Crosses and

Item TC2005 -WWII US Stars Stencil

TechStar has released two sets of scribing stencils - one for 1/35 scale WWII German vehicles and one for 1/35 scale Allied vehicles.

The German set includes three versions of the Balkenkreuz in different sizes. These will permit the modeller to depict the early-war solid white cross, the black-white cross, or the simplified skeleton-style white cross. Each stencil is accompanied by an engraved number and colour (eg #1 WHITE) to permit matching with its corresponding stencil (eg #1 BLACK). Four holes surround each cross to assist aligning the overlapping colours. Five different sizes of Black/White crosses are supplied, and six sizes of white skeleton crosses.

The Allied Star set is simpler but equally versatile. Seven single stars are supplied, six of which are surrounded by the circle. Once again, alignment holes are provided. In addition to the stars, there are also two "U.S.A." markings, plus one "ARMY" stencil.

The stencils on both sheets are etched into very thin stainless steel sheet. This material has the advantage of being very durable - the stainless steel stencil should last forever with careful treatment. The disadvantage of stainless steel is that it is fairly inflexible, making it unlikely to conform to sharp curves or other complex shapes.

Recommended.

Item TC2007 - Aircraft Scribing Templates

TechStar's Aircraft Scribing Templates is a great little package with around 150 template shapes on a large, 130mm x 72mm stainless steel fret. In fact, the single sheet has been designed to permit simple separation into three narrow frets. This will make it easier to work with the stencils over the model.

One third of the sheet is devoted to circles and round-edged squares (hatch-shaped); another third is ovals (ideal for German fuel and access hatches) and the final third contains rectangles, long ovals, triangles and other odd shapes. The circles, square hatches and ovals are labelled with their sizes in millimetres.

The templates will be applicable to most scales from 1/72 to 1/24.

In this case, stainless steel is an ideal medium. The steel is thin enough to conform to the smooth curves of most wings and fuselages, and strong enough to withstand damage from the scribing tool.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to VLS for the review samples

These and other VLS products may be viewed at the VLS Website

Review Copyright © 2002 by Brett Green
Page Created 30 August, 2002
Last updated 22 July, 2003

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