PROCAL Decals by Orestis Petroutsopoulos (F-16C Block 52+ "ZEUS" Demo Team/HAF)
PROCAL Decals has just released a brand new series of decal sheets for the famous F-16C Block52+ “ZEUS” Demo Team (Hellenic Air Force), available in three popular scales (1/72, 1/48 and 1/32). These are designed & produced by founder & owner, Orestis Petroutsopoulos and printed 100% in Greece.
PROCAL company specializes mainly in greek themes. The whole production (artwork - screen printing) is made in Greece, using the very best materials. Company’s priority is ease of using the decals for both, amateur and experienced modeller. Their first set, back in 2017, represented the impressive and attractive HAF’s 348 TRS (Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron) suspension of operations (RF-4E retirement day) and ceremony, known as the "End of the film" - also available on all popular scales.
Orestis began to design decals in his computer using Corel software and inkjet printers in 2007. He is absolutely self-taught using this technique. However his longtime career and profession in the traditional ceramics/pottery small industry, as well as his scale modeling skills and love for Hellenic Air Force aircraft, were pivotal in producing this series of decals.
He later experimented with laser printers and finally decided to utilize traditional screen printing for perfect results.
A critical moment was in 2015 when he copied the latest Zeus III (demo team) paint scheme, using no plans but just photos of the HAFs aerobatic team F-16 and participated in that year’s IPMS Hellas contest with an F-16 scale model sporting his own decals.
His Facebook personal account made his efforts widely known to modelers in Greece (and abroad). Many immediately mail ordered his decal sheets and were very satisfied by the results. He then created a special “PROCAL decals” page on Facebook and now there are plans for even more decal sheets.
Orestis remains an active modeler. He often participates in the IPMS Hellas (Greece) national contest in Athens. He has received commendation for his HAF’s F-4E Phantom II 48scale model. His second participation was a spectacular all yellow “Tiger Meet” Rafale model in the same scale.
PROCAL Decals are already exported in many countries through company’s Facebook page and wholesale/retail distributors. More details here.
Quality is excellent, printing is crisp in small details and colors are vivid. The 1/48 scale sheet is in fact a set of 5 sheets: two sized 20 X 15 cm, two 10 X 7 cm and one 10 X 5 cm. The latter includes all the exterior and intrerior petals of the engine exhaust nozzle in metallic colors. The film is thin and very well printed, as the quality and realism of the colors. It may appear somewhat thicker before use, but with minimal decal softening solution and following the explanatory instructions one can get a superb realistic finish. The instructions include full F-16C Block 52+ color profiles, proper camouflage drawings and suitable colors in specific FS codes plus explanatory english text about getting the best results. Acrylic or Lacquer Color sets for HAF camouflage colors are available from AKAN, Hataka, MRP and Lifecolor, and PROCAL suggest using one of them. Also the new AK Interactive Real Air Colors or Gunze/Mr.Hobby paints can be used by the FS numbers provided. There are also all necessary stencils and masks for painting easily the two aerodynamic fins under the fuselage (port and starboard), some small reinforcement plates in the nose section, even decals for the ejection seat! Also useful tips about HAVE GLASS anti-radar painting and canopy yellow tinting. Nice touches - and a very highly recommended unique product!
The F-16 ZEUS Demo Team/HAF sheet retails at 17,50 € (1/72), 24,80 € (1/48) and 32,00 € (1/32 scale). Wholesale prices/trade terms are also available on request.
You can order it here and here.
