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Flags

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  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: United Kingdom
  • 103 posts
Flags
Posted by LudwigVonDrake on Friday, June 22, 2007 12:43 PM

I sure there are companies that make HO scale flags, but I was just wondering - anyone have any tips and suggestions for making realistic looking flags?

I've experimented with normal paper and the image reduced, but it looks too rigid. 

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Metro East St. Louis
  • 5,743 posts
Posted by simon1966 on Friday, June 22, 2007 2:05 PM

See the flag on top of the ballroom, well it was made from a printed photo.

I found a web image photo of a limp US flag and then opened it in MSPaint program.  I mirror imaged it and then pasted it against another copy of the same flag the correct way round. I printed this out, trimmed it with a hobby knife and wrapped the resulting back to back image around the flag pole and glued the mirror images together. 

Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Overland Park, KS
  • 343 posts
Posted by dadret on Saturday, June 23, 2007 7:37 AM
Microscale makes several versions (48 and 50 star as well as some old Civil War versions)  Walthers and the discount stores have them.
  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: United Kingdom
  • 103 posts
Posted by LudwigVonDrake on Saturday, June 23, 2007 8:41 AM
 simon1966 wrote:

See the flag on top of the ballroom, well it was made from a printed photo.

I found a web image photo of a limp US flag and then opened it in MSPaint program.  I mirror imaged it and then pasted it against another copy of the same flag the correct way round. I printed this out, trimmed it with a hobby knife and wrapped the resulting back to back image around the flag pole and glued the mirror images together. 

Thats a clever idea!! I think I'll have to experiment with this! Smile [:)]

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: West Australia
  • 2,217 posts
Posted by John Busby on Saturday, June 23, 2007 4:03 PM

HiLudwigVon Drake

You need an image of both sides of the flag printed or painted on thin paper like typing paper.

A piece of real thin el cheapo cooking foil.

Cut out the flag fold it in half and cut a piece of tin foil just under the size of the flag

Glue the flag together with the foil inside and smooth it flat to get any air out.

Now twist and fold the flag till you are happy with the wind blown or droopy effect you are looking for.

All your materials need to be thin so it doesn't look to thick a flag, and always start with a rectangular or square flag as is appropriate for the job.

The result will be better than printing a droopy still day flag to start with, as the flag will have a bit of body to it as it should.

Dont forget to spray it with flat varnish to finish it off and protect it.

regards John

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