14B Daimler Ambulance Decal Question

[hydra427]

For all the experts out there is the decal on the right a reproduction? I bought the model on the right a few years ago from an Ebay trusted seller and when I recently received my second 14B I found a totally different decal. Thoughts and opinions are welcome.

[kwakers]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news John, but the red cross with the white background is not Lesney at all if it is a decal. As you now know, the one on the left is the correct style for the 14A, 14B, and the very rare earliest 14Cs with roof decals from the factory. As you look at the correct one, Please note it is not a waterslide decal as on later Lesneys, but has the appearance of a painted on cross almost without a clear border around it. You will see a lot of them Sunday at the Hershey Matchbox Show where more of your questions will be answered. kwakers

[nickjones]

What Dick says is correct, It is a repro.
The original decal should be solvent applied, unlike the later water slide decals it can't easily be scratched off with a fingernail.

[brainstrust]

Nick can you solvent apply a "water slide" decal and would that make it hold better or are the decals made from totally different products?

[nickjones]

The solvent applied decals use a different type of glue which has to be released from the backing paper with a solvent, Waterslide decals are just that, They can be released with water, The solvent decals were first used on only a few models and then they switched to waterslide. When I met Jack Odell he told me that the solvent applied decals "made the factory into a bloody mess". I don't know if he was talking about the actual factory being untidy or the staff as continuously using solvent in an enclosed space would have made them drowsy,
There would be no benefit in using solvent on waterslides as it is the gum itself that holds the decal to the model. I don't know if it is possible to use solvent on waterslide.

[brainstrust]

Thanks Nick, that all makes sense. I've been playing around with water slide decals recently and they come off so easily. I just can't see them staying attached forever!