Issue 65 - Contains the rear suspension carbon decals., and has instructions for preparing the engine/gearbox assembly, and Stage 1 of applying the first of the carbon decals.
Preparing the engine/gearbox assembly - Take the engine/gearbox unit that you assembled in issue 60.
Use the masking tape to protect the exhaust pipes on both sides of the engine from damage. Then carefully scrape away the silver paint from the recessed areas of the cowlings on both sides, as outlined in red in the steps.
Turn the engine/gearbox assembly over and check that the bottom of the engine and the bottom of the gearbox are exactly parallel (as indicated by the red lines in the steps) so that they will sit on the undertray correctly. If you need to adjust the alignment, loosen the four screws in the gearbox housing plate (inset) about half a turn. Twist the gearbox itself until it lines up with the engine. (Do not hold the wishbones to do this, as they may be damaged by the pressure.) Re-tighten the fixing screws.
Decals - The decals provided apply a carbon fibre finish to the rear suspension arms and hubs. These are waterslide decals which are quite delicate once released from the backing paper. There are 14 decals on the sheet, and each of them is identified by a number. Use the diagram shown at step 5 on page 15 as a guide to positioning them -
Note that only four decals are applied at this stage. To apply each individual decal, set aside the top protective paper from the sheet, then cut the individual decal and backing paper from the sheet.
Using tweezers, hold the decal by the backing paper, and soak the paper/decal in water for 20-30 seconds until the transfer slides easily when gently touched (do not allow it to float free of its backing paper), then quickly take the decal to the model, and carfully slide it from the paper onto the component, then discard the backing paper. Then use tissue or a cotton bud to remove the excess water once the decal is in place. The cotton bud can also be used to gently push out any trapped air pockets or bubbles.
In the next issue, you will apply the remaining decals to the more complex shapes and compound curves of the rear suspension, (guidance is provided).
Applying the first decals - We start by applying the simplest of them, which curve in only one direction around the rear uprights.
Start by applying the #33 decal around the bottom curve of the left upright, in the position shown in the steps. Hold the soaked decal next to the model, then carefully slide it off the backing paper and into place. Use a cotton bud press the decal carefully into position and to remove any trapped air bubbles, then allow it to dry.
Now apply the #29 decal to the forward curve of the left upright, in the position shown in the diagram and the red line below.
Then repeat with decals #33 and #34 on the right-hand upright.
That's it for this week, place the protective paper over the decal sheet and carefully store the sheet until the next stage.
Future issues: Issue 66 - Contains suspension carbon decals., and has instructions for Stage 2 of positioning the suspension decals.
Issue 67 - Contains the monocoque body, left & right side cowls and 'C' rings., and has instructions for preparing the side cowls and preparing the monocoque body.
Issue 68 - Contains fuel gate lid parts & the right-hand cockpit fin., and has instructions for Stage 1 of assembling the fuel gate - preparation and its assembly
Issue 69 - Contains fuel gate lid parts & the left-hand cockpit fin., and has instructions for Stage 2 of assembling the fuel gate - attaching the fuel gates and attaching the cockpit fins.
Tomick attached the following image(s):