Thanks guys. Although the Pheon instruction booklet is well detailed, it does not offer any informantion regarding how the stars were applied to the prototype. I think Rowan had only a couple of photos of each aircraft to work from.
As for application to the model, the Pheon stars are indeed individual decals. The color plan provided by Pheon is very helpful, although there is no guide for most of the bottom wing (except the portion not covered by the top wing) or the right side of the fuselage, which you are left to interpret, I suspect because the photos of the real thing do not show those surfaces. Interestingly, the portion of the bottom wings shown in the color plan seem to suggest a greater density of stars on the lower wings than on the upper wing.
Although it seems like a big job, I found application of the individual stars to be quite relaxing and fun, as the surface came to life. The secret was to not try to do too much at a single sitting. I did the top wing in two sessions, then two more sessions for the bottom, and two sessions for the fuselage, with another for the tail surfaces. These were probably 15-20 minute sessions, tops. I would cut out about 4-6 stars in a strip, soak per instructions, and set with a small brush in a little MicroSol. Once positioned where I wanted them, I then hit them with a warm hairdryer to snuggle them down. Then back to the bench for another 4-6 stars, and repeat until I had whatever section I was working on finished. A little tedious at times, but very rewarding!
Now . . . on to rigging the tail and struts, then adding the top wing before main rigging!
Regards,
Bob
