"Custom Orders"
Apart
form my full line of Canadian aircraft decals, from time to time I have
received requests for other items from ships to cars and from 1:700 to
1:1. While sometimes it may take a while to get it done, it is often a
nice break from my regular workload.
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RCAF
serials and fuselage codes for 1/72 Hobbycraft F-86 Sabre.
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Hakenkreuz
(swastikas) for the tail fins of 1/144 scale Takara Do 335's and F-Toys Hs-129's.
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VO-67
Sqn logo for 1/72 Hasegawa Neptune OP-2E.
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Hakenkreuz
air recognition deck markings, German Naval Ensign and Admirals Pennant for
1/350 Tamiya Bismarck.
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German
Naval Ensign for Revell 1/72 U-Boat.
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Custom
quasi-RCN civilian markings for a 1/48 scale T-6 Texan.
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Healthcare
Materials Management Services (HMMS) corporate logos drawn in multiple sizes
and configurations for promotional use.
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Markings
for a complete deck load of 25 Grumman Avenger (Tarpon) and 10 GM Wildcat
(Martlett) for a 1:700 scale HMS Nabob.
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Custom
decal set for a 1:72 scale Canadair North Star included in a Korean War
diorama to be displayed at the RCAF Memorial Museum in Trenton, Ontario.
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Full
size 1:1 artwork of roundels, flags, numbers and lettering used to create
vinyl masks for spray painting of a Canadian Armed Forces CF-104D
(registration 104645) under restoration at the Canadian Museum of Flight in
Langley, BC. See restorations page for photos.
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Custom
artwork to replace the original painted markings on the dashboard
speedometer for the restoration of a 1937 Pontiac. Artwork had to be
identical to the original.
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Custom civil registration codes for a 1:72 scale DH-82C Tiger Moth
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Fuselage striping and civil registration codes for a privately owned
Bombardier Global Express
on an odd scale (1:56.4) model for the owner.
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Mercury,
Evinrude, Johnson and Scott-Atwater outboard motor logos.
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| Full
size cut vinyl for privately owned CT-133 Silver Stars, whose new
owners wanted to reapply Canadian military markings. See
restorations page for photos.
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Customer Feedback and Comments
I thought this would be as good a place as any to share some of the comments
I have received from customers and other interested individuals. [my
comments are bracketed]
| From Eric H:
"I just received my decal order last week, and I must say that I am impressed. The quality of your decals are
outstanding and very well printed, I will be purchasing more in the future, and I will also let others
know of your website and products. The subject matter will certainly make the new crop of 1/144th scale
aircraft stand out from the kit decals (eg. the A-Model line), my favorite of the order is the sheet for the
B-47, now to figure out how to make the engine mount. Many thanks for the photos.
Keep up the great work, you have a quality product. "
[Thanks Eric! Those drawings are now included in the CL-52/B-47 sheet to make it easier to build the
Iroquois nacelle
and correctly paint the Stratojet.]
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| From Ron O:
"I've been modeling RCAF aircraft for over 30 years now and wish to
take this moment to thank you for your great range of decals. I am
an aircraft inspector by profession, so I'm naturally picky, but
after reviewing the results of my last two orders I'm very pleased
with what you have provided."
[Thanks Ron, it's always nice to know I can please the picky ones!]
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| From Michael C:
"Scanning Aircraft Resource Centre, I noticed a mention of CanMilAir
decals, so, I went on line and was flabbergasted as to what you
print. As a Canadian aircraft modeller, I am asking if you have a
catalogue on all your subjects?"
[Michael, actually I do. You will find it
in the main Decals list under the category "Other".]
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| From Keith C: [snips from two
messages regarding the Cdn Markings 101 page]
"To whom it may concern - something of note regarding this excellent
depiction of the evolution of markings applied to aircraft serving
Canada's Air Force. And the choice of the T-33 to depict these
changes was a good one because she did indeed operate throughout the
entire period. . . .
Bill, keep up the excellent work. It's heartening to see the Air
Force's legacy being portrayed through venues such as your site. The
department does much the same but in a much more official way and so
often the trail tends to get covered over because we're so busy
trying to keep the pointy end sharp. . . .
I'm currently employed as the Deputy Unit Safety Officer here at
AETE. That, predominately, involves Flight Safety business and
typically keeps my plate pretty full. I spent many years maintaining
T-Birds and supporting the Silver Star/Nene 10 programs, which
resulted in my developing rather a soft spot for that venerable
airplane - a likely factor in my close scrutiny of the Markings 101
part of your site. Arguably the most versatile aircraft ever
operated by the Air Force. I think she was deserving of far more
accolades than she actually received after having served us so well
for over 50 years."
[Keith emailed to point out that I had made small error in the T-33
images on the Cdn Markings 101 page. Thanks to his keen eyesight
and, I presume, a better than average monitor, these errors are now
corrected.]
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| From Guy N: [regarding My Model Gallery]
"Thank you for the time and effort you have spent creating these fine
models, several of them honoring the sacrifices of Canadians who
served and died in combat. Your workmanship is exceptional and your
write-ups are inspirational.
As a fellow Canadian, disabled from severe injuries sustained with
the Armed Forces in Iraq, I admire your dedication and your
perseverance in this peaceful hobby. I was touched by the story
about the TBF Avenger that you dedicated to your brother. May be if
there were more people like you, we would have less wars.
Thank you Bill and also thank you for the advice you offer to fellow
modelers."
[Thank you Guy.]
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| From Rick Y: [regarding suggestions
for future releases]
". . . I probably learned more about
Canadian birds from your website than anywhere else! But what I will
do is canvass the guys in the local club to see if there's anything
on their wish list for Canadian aircraft that they haven't been able to
find anywhere and pass it along. There are a couple of serious
aircraft dudes there that could probably give me a list of
"missing" items at the drop of a hat. . . . .
Your operation is a Godsend for those of us
wanting to do this type of modelling, and I'm particularly impressed by your willingness to accept suggestions. Case in point
- before I found CanMilAir, I e-mailed another manufacturer who
had a set of 1/72 decals for the Chinook, asking if he had any
plans to do them in 1/35 for the Trumpeter kit. The answer was
basically, "Naw, I might do them in 1/48 sometime but I couldn't
fit the 1/35 all on one sheet." Given the number of these
kits sold in this country, there has got to be some market for
them but there didn't seem to be a hell of a lot of interest in
even investigating the idea on his behalf. Now that I've bought a
few of your decals and the guys have seen the quality, I'd be surprised if you
didn't see more orders down the road - I know you will from me as
I sort through the "pending" pile."
[Thanks Rick.
That is the beauty of Alps printing directly from digital files. I
can make them almost any size requested! Although I often have to break
things up so they will fit the paper.]
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| From Jim D: [regarding
the artwork I supplied to the Canadian Museum of Flight in Langley]
"Carol just finished cutting the stencils for the CF-104D, and
I dropped them off today. I cannot thank you enough for your help.
Your artwork was INVALUABLE. As it turned out the project was even
more difficult then I originally thought. Some well meaning
volunteers had repainted the aircraft after the museum had received
it quite a few years ago. This made it very difficult to figure out
what really went where, at what size, shape, and font. I got to the
point half way through figuring out what was needed that I started
simply defaulting to your artwork. Each time I cross-checked the old
pictures of the plane with what the reference manuals said. Your
artwork was right on and the other information was all over. So
again thank you very much."
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| A few unsolicited comments on a recent ARC forum resulting from a
question as to whether CanMilAir Decals were considered "expensive":
From Robert:
"I build almost exclusively 1/72 scale, and have bought
numerous sheets from Bill and others. The prices for his decals are
about average for 1/72 sheets, I've compared his prices with
Xtradecal for example, and they are not far off, the 1/72 Hunter set
for instance is a lot more expensive. Admittedly, you do get quite a
few choices on the Xtradecal sheets but you can't get a custom decal
of one of their sheets from them, you just end up with a lot of
unused decals from a sheet. Bill is about the only one who offers
this service that I've dealt with, which to me is a big bonus,
especially as I like to do some what if subjects like Avro Arrows.
Keep up the good work Bill"
From Todd:
"Never mind the cost of the decals . . . it's the cost of
all the kits you need to buy to keep up with Bill !"
From Mike:
"Expensive for custom made decals or one of a kind
sheets? No way!
Bill designed the 421 Sabre decals for me from scratch. He even
included a personalized touch of the name of my uncle in script for
the canopy rail, even though this practice was never done on real
aircraft. All Bill asked for in return was for a little help on
getting a decent photo of the Indian head so he could make the tail
stripes. Heck, I figure my $5 admission fee to the Canada Aviation
Museum and snapping a bunch of digital photos is some of the best
time and money I've ever spent in order to have Bill extend me the
courtesy of supplying a very personal decal sheet and also making it
available to everyone else who'd like to complete a 421 Squadron
Sabre from Grostenquin in 1953. There was no extra fee for his work
for setting up a new sheet. Communications process throughout the
entire transaction was second to none.
Bill? Top shelf guy in my books!
Thanks for putting out a great product Bill.
Oh, and Bill . . . one of these days I promise to start that Sabre."
From Shawn:
"All the sheets I have used have either been bang on or . .
. they had a mistake in the colour. When this happens, you
tell Bill AND HE FIXES IT, FAST. Then ships you replacement stuff.
No worries with Bill. Mind you I do feel the need to save the
pennies before I have to order 1/48. But when I get 'em I
like 'em.
And much of Bills stuff just would not be available if it was not
ALPS. That's the joy of his set up. Its all on computer, he prints
it as its ordered.
And as already mentioned, they don't make a lot of the stuff he
needs to makes his decals anymore."
From Tony:
"Bills decals are first rate at any price and NO, I don't
think the price is high on his decals. You get what you pay for and
I know Bill makes sure his decals are A-1 before he ships them out,
and his customer service is bar none!"
My thanks go out to those who offered their
$0.02 in this discussion.
It is humbling to know I have built up
such a loyal fan club!
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| I received the following email from Bruce C. of Toronto:
"I
have been a modeller for almost all of my 40 years, and have
always
struggled to find real Canadian subjects to model. Canada has been
largely
ignored as subjects for Model Companies to address. Now, thanks to
you,
I can get the much sought after decals I have PINED over!!!
Finding
your site has caused a stir in my heart that I never thought
possible.
I
am really at a loss for words, but just wanted to say a resounding
THANK-YOU,
and assure you when I can assemble the funds, and decide WHICH
decals
(and posters, and everything else CANADIAN!) ( I want ALL!) to
order,
I
promise you I will make an order as large as my limited funds allow.
Being
on
disability and having a chronic illness means I have too much time
to
fill,
not enough energy or quality "Modelling" time due to
illness, and a
VERY
fixed income to juggle. Your products, and the selection and price
(VERY
Reasonable!) have injected some serious enthusiasm into my mundane
existence!!"
Thank you, Bruce, for those kind words and
for taking the time to send them to me!
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