Black and White Photo Calibration Targets

Fineline Model Products, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Rodger Kelly

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Fineline Model Products is a new company out of the United Kingdom.  They offer some excellent detail type modelling products including fine brass mesh for intake grilles, tiny diameter stainless steel tubing for gun barrels and pitot tubes, and display bases.

They have recently expanded their range to include decals and these two sheets - SBD 001 and SBD.002 - are their first releases in their decal range.  The sheets carry black and white photo calibration targets.

Photo calibration targets?  What the heck are they I thought when I first saw the sheets.  With the help of Mr Google I found that they are the odd looking black and white designs that you see applied to prototype aircraft and aircraft undergoing testing.

Having established what they were I wondered why they were applied and how they are used so it was back to Mr Google.  Following some quality time with him I discovered that they are used for aiming points for optical instruments (film and video) used to determine movement (by knowing the physical size of the markings, movement data can be determined from measurements taken from the video/film capture).  This is done to determine rate, distance, time and motion vectors.

Enough of the science 101 and on with the decals!

Each sheet contains four different sets of four different designs with each design being provided in seven different sizes - 3, 4.5, 6, 7.5, 9, 10.5 and 12 mm.  No scale is given but I guess that the one-to-one-scale ones come in different sizes too so you can pick the one that looks right for your subject from the seven of each design in different sizes provided.

SBD 001 (pictured at top of page) carries square designs whilst SBD 002 (below) contains round targets.

The decals themselves have been printed by the Fantasy Printshop using the silk screen process.  They are thin with an absolute minimum of carrier film and everything is in perfect register.   Each sheet measures 145mm x 100 mm.

Support material is minimal - a sheet of paper measuring 150mm x 105mm that provides you with written instructions on how to apply the decals.  The decal sheet and the support material come packed in a clear plastic zip-loc bag.

Both sheets are available direct from the manufacturer or from their E-Bay Store at:
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Fineline-Model-Products

I have not seen photo calibration targets provided in decal format before.  Sure, you can make your own from black and white decals sheets or paint them on but at the asking price of £4.25 for each sheet they will make life a whole lot easier.

Recommended.

Thanks to Fineline Model Products for the review sample.

Review Copyright © 2008 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 25 February, 2008
Last updated 25 February, 2008

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