Graphics for vintage Canadian military aircraft
Produced using a wide-format Latex printer on premium quality 54-inch white self-adhesive Cast vinyl at 600 dpi. After printing, every graphic is given an optically clear UV protective overlaminate and then each individual element is contour cut to its finished shape. Rated at 12+ years in terms of outdoor durability.
Ideally suited for larger multi-colour elements such as Roundels or intricate designs such as Red Ensigns and unit crests. The Pantone colour system is used whenever possible.
PHOTO: Canadair Sabre Mk.5 23245, pedestal-mounted in Peterborough with Digitally-printed Red Ensigns, roundels and 430 Sqn Tail Bands. Black letters, numbers and "Beware of Exhaust" stencil are Cut Cast vinyl.
Premium 2-mil (0.002") high-performance Cast vinyl film with a permanent acrylic adhesive imported from the UK in a wide range of solid colours. Its excellent conformability enhances adhesion on textured, corrugated, and irregular surfaces with seams or rivets. Rated 12+ years in terms of outdoor durability.
Typically used for single-colour graphics, however simple multi-colour designs are easily created by layering one colour on top of another, using registration guides in the placement of each layer for extremely accurate alignment. Much more cost-effective and far less labour-intensive than painting.
PHOTO: Canadair CT-133 Silver Star 133577 from Waterloo Warbirds with all markings supplied using solid colour White and Blue 2-mil Cast vinyl.
A Calendered 3.4-mil (0.0034") vinyl film for applications requiring a painted finish. An ideal method for the many small Servicing and Maintenance stencils found all over military aircraft.
Once the vinyl mask is applied to the surface and burnished down, the Transfer Tape is removed and the paint is applied, either by spraying or by daubing with a foam pouncer or sponge applicator. When finished with the paint application, the vinyl mask is simply peeled off due to its removeable acrylic adhesive and discarded.
PHOTO: Servicing & Maintenance stencils on the wing-tip fuel tank of Canadair CF-104 Starfighter 12703 at the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada in Winnipeg.
An extensive catalogue of aftermarket decals for scale models of Canadian military aircraft containing over 686 individual sets designed by CanMilAir. This catalogue covers over 140 different aircraft types and the decals can be printed to any scale. A feature unique to CanMilAir Decals is the ability to make minor alterations to sets, such as serial numbers or a/c code letters at no additional charge.
Vector artwork is printed using an OKI C942 colour LED printer onto clear waterslide decal paper by Above and Below Graphics in Victoria BC. The C942 is capable of printing White both as a spot colour and as an undercoat for improved opacity and colour vibrancy.
PHOTO: Set #192 - Canadair T-33A Silver Star #21500, one of the Golden Hawks team support aircraft in 1:48 scale.
A highly customizable product unique to CanMilAir that is created featuring the same premium quality 2-mil (0.002") Cut Cast vinyl used on the aircraft, but applied to a 1/16" thick 12" x 18" aluminium panel with 5/8" radiused corners. These pieces are made-to-order and feature those elements found on the aircraft's tail such as the serial number, flag and quite often a unit emblem.
The combination of aluminium and Cast vinyl ensures that these pieces would be just as comfortable outdoors on a patio or deck as they would be indoors and will even fit into a standard 12" x 18" photo frame.
PHOTO: This piece was created for a CT-156 Harvard II pilot while training in the NFTC program (NATO Flying Training in Canada) at 15 Wing Moose Jaw, SK
Another highly customizable product from CanMilAir are a series of Limited Edition 11" x 17" colour prints highlighting historic aircraft.
In many cases, the artwork for these drawings originate from graphic orders received by CanMilAir for restoration or repaint projects. The artwork is printed on heavy 80 lb (approx 225 GSM, 12 pt) Gloss Cover stock and are shipped in a mailing tube.
PHOTO: This print was created for Canadair CT-133 Silver Star 21443 that will be put on public display by the RCAFA 441 "Huronia" Wing in Barrie, ON.
CanMilAir Decals is a home-based sole-proprietorship that was established in London, Ontario in 2005 to produce after-market waterslide decals for scale models of Canadian military aircraft. Between June 2005 and August 2018 CanMilAir filled over 4,000 orders containing more than 11,000 decal sets to over 2,100 customers in 40 countries. Our catalogue of Canadian decals now contains over 700 items, covering 137 aircraft types and are available in any scale requested. Since early January 2022, that catalogue of material has been produced for CanMilAir by Above & Below Scale Graphics in Victoria BC.
In September 2006, CanMilAir began offering these same graphics at full-size in premium-quality self-adhesive vinyl to aid the restoration of many vintage Canadian warbirds. Having established a reputation as a specialist in the national insignia used on Canadian military aircraft and after supplying the necessary graphics to restore over 60 vintage aircraft (currently over 100 aircraft), I was invited to assume an Associate Historian position with the Office of History and Heritage within the RCAF.
On April 1, 2017, CanMilAir's first book was published titled "Canadian Cold Warriors", and examines the unique unit and squadron-level markings applied to the Avro CF-100 Canuck throughout its service life. The first printing sold out in just 20 months and is now avalable in a second printing. In June 2026, CanMilAir's second book was published, this time examining the unit and squadron-level markings applied to the Canadair CL-13 Sabre throughout its service life. Collectively, these two books contain more than 760 colour illustrations and more than 290 photos. Both books, and more besides, are available in our online store.
CanMilAir Decals has always been dedicated to the memory of my father - a combat veteran of the First World War, serving with the 46th Battalion (South Saskatchewan) at Arras, Lens, Hill 70 and Passchendaele. The battalion would come to be known as "The Suicide Battalion" because from its origins in Moose Jaw on 7 November 1914 until its disbandment on 30 August 1920, a total of 5,374 men would serve with the 46th. Of these, the battalion lost 1,433 killed and 3,484 wounded - a casualty rate of 91.5%. After Passchendaele, my father transferred into the Royal Flying Corps in February 1918, learning to fly the Sopwith Camel and when the war ended on November 11th, he was on a train travelling through Italy on his way to his first posting in Alexandria, Egypt. During the Second World War he served as an instructor for the Link Trainer and also taught Ground School courses at #20 EFTS in Oshawa, from June 1941 until the school's disbandment in December 1944, logging 4,234.25 hours of Link instruction. FYI, the small Poppy you see on most of my printed material is in his memory. Lest We Forget.
William Burns, Proprietor
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MOBILE 519-671-2623 |
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| Philanthropy CanMilAir Decals supports the following non-profits and registered Canadian charities: CanadaHelps; Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Fund; Remember November 11 Association; Wounded Warriors Canada; Jet Aircraft Museum; Canadian Corps Association; Hospitallers Medical Battalion in Ukraine; |
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