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Census numbers

Hi
Time to ask for help again.
I’m interested in which methods have been used for painting census numbers on your tanks.
Does anybody do a waterslide or dry rub transfer?

Cheers
Steve

email (option): Sglover1104@gmail.com

Re: Census numbers

I had stencils made up to correct font size at a local business and painted them in flat white. They were self adhesive use once only.

email (option): tknalder@iinet.net.au

Re: Census numbers

I buy all my low tack stencils off Tony/Sarah Pearson. https://www.axholmesigns.co.uk/

Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Re: Census numbers

I wasn’t sure about paint bleed using stencils. That’s why I was wondering about a transfer

email (option): Sglover1104@gmail.com

Re: Census numbers

Thanks Ron, I’ll take a look at their website

email (option): Sglover1104@gmail.com

Re: Census numbers

Prior to early / mid 1940, all WD serials were applied at the vehicle depots..Either RAOC Chilwell where they had some pretty good signwriters, or RASC, generally Feltham or Slough where anyone who could hold a paintbrush was used !

After this point, the manufacturers were paid 1/- per machine to apply the numbers and each had their own house style, within broad limits. It has been documented that Enfield used transfers but most other makes were signwritten. The only stencils in use at that time were reusable with 'bridges' to hold the unpainted areas so they have the characteristic broken lines. These are very much in a minority.

It's clear that most machines had hand painted / signwritten numbers but few of us can come anywhere near the neatness required so use of vinyl stencils is the best option. However, they shouldn't really be sprayed and a dryish brush, allowing some brush strokes to be visible is the closest that I've managed to get....If the vinyl is carefully applied and used as a guide rather than a hard boundary to build paint up against then the effect can be quite reasonable.

Re: Census numbers

Welbikes also used transfers, but only for the bigger contract MKII's.

The factory fonts for Enfields, and Matchless have been redrawn now, and a close one for Nortons is Trebuchet bold, with a 1,5" or 38mm. height.

See originals and repro pictures.











Cheers,

Lex

email (option): welbike@welb**e.net

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