Introduction
This first look review takes a closer look at Accurate Model Parts new line of scale fabric flags, available in many styles, scales, and nations.
You've just spent a lot of hard work and time building that special model ship, and have begun to add the final touches, rigging, weathering details, deck details.....and you're wanting that special "something" to add a note of historical realism and overall look to your build...well mates, these new fabric flags from
Accurate Model Parts will do both!
Two of our shipmates here at MSW have joined their creative minds and talents into
Accurate Model Parts, a new after-market product manufacturer. Wink Grise and Dougie Martindale have already began to produce many different scales and types of National flags and ensigns for the shipwright, and have promised much more will be added to their catalog in the near future.
Looking closer...
Each one of AMP's flag kits contain two flags, digitally printed on fabric OR paper...your flags come to you in a medium size zip-lock bag, which contains simply the kits instructions, and the flags themselves. I immediately noticed the vibrant, very true to real form, lines and colors of these flags, each one looking like an exact, miniature reproduction of the full size counterpart that they represent. Masterfully printed on both sides of the fabric, each detail mirrors the opposite perfectly, as to make as true to scale and real life, of an addition for your build.
The Kriegsmarine flag sample for this review scaled out to a perfect 1/72 scale, (100 x 170cm), based upon the size of the
actual flag size...as stated by AMP (and I do agree) many scale flags, and full size reproductions, are the wrong proportions...They are based on the 3'x5' measurement and although some real flags actually are 3'x5', it is often a “size of convenience” for the manufacturer.
The second flag sample, the USA 1912-1959 USN flag, again scaled out to a perfect 1/72 scale, (based on 34.75 x 66 in actual measurement), and again, a great example in miniature of it's full grown counterpart, on both sides of the fabric...and I also want to add that each AMP Flag size is based on a specific, real size, and is re-figured and rebuilt for different scales, rather than one flag being used as both a 1:72 submarine flag and a 1:144 battleship flag.
I must stress a very important point at this time, something unique to AMP fabric flags, which is these flags are
sealed for a
no fray feature....one look at the image is worth a thousand words, mates...(Rough handling only causes micro sawtoothing, instead of disintegrating the cloth fibers). Also, professional print industry standards are used, such as
“bleed-to-edge” and trim marks, which means a higher quality product and easier for you to use.
Also included with the kit is a one sheet, two sided instruction page, which explains everything that you need to know to produce a fine looking flag for your model, cutting, shaping, etc., in easy, step by step text, and line diagrams and drawings...very clear and concise!
Currently, AMP has the following items in their available catalog:
UK - ROYAL and MERCHANT NAVY - 5 sizes
~WHITE Ensign (1864-Modern)
~RED Ensign (1864-Modern)
~Union Jack (1801-Modern)
USA - US NAVY - 5 sizes
~48 Star Ensign (1912-1959)
~50 Star Ensign (1960-Modern)
~USN Union Jack 48 Star
~USN Union Jack 50 Star
GERMANY - WWII Kriegsmarine - 3 sizes
~Naval Ensign 1939-1945
AUSTRALIA - ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY
~NAVAL Ensign 1911-1967
~NAVAL Ensign 1967-Modern
Click Here to download the current AMP Flag price list.
AMP is also expanding into:
~U-boat pennants (tonnage/type sunk)
~Gato pennants and Call Signs
~1:35 ARMOR
~ALL major navies of WWII and Modern (other time periods by request) - Ensigns and Jacks
~Wooden Sailing Ship scales (1:90, 1:96, and 1:48)
And, Dougie and Wink will also design and construct custom flags by order, and if the flag is a standard that AMP should carry, they will add your flag to their catalog, for no extra charge to you.
All AMP flags will also be available in paper, which is the preferred medium for certain scales and sizes. AMP Paper flags:
~Paper stock 100gsm (28lb) silk-coated (smooth) paper and 80gsm (16lb) bond
~Printed on a commercial digital offset press (Canon imagePress C1 at 1200x1200 dpi)
Comments