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3Wire Design Logo Flightdecks

By Matt Bittner

Introduction

First, I'll provide a description of 3Wire Designs and their Logo Flightdecks. 3Wire is a design firm located in Phoenix, AZ, which features large and small-format, military aviation design for both the military and the general public. They specialize in high-resolution, design and production featuring insignias of US Navy, Air Force and Marine squadrons both past and present. Justin Maloof, founder and lead designer launched the company in June of 2009 and has been designing and developing 3Wire products ever since. The company initially started designing and producing large-format vinyl banners but quickly expanded into other product lines including tail flashes and model display decks. "Once the squadron insignias were drawn for banner production, I started looking for other unique items we could offer" said Maloof. "While the designs could be used for t-shirt and patch applications, I think those are best left to those who specialize in screen and stitch production. I was looking for niche items... different products that folks would see as fresh and innovative." While never in the military himself, Maloof has always had a passion for military aviation and 3Wire has given him an incredible outlet to rub shoulders with pilots and other enthusiasts who share his passion.

Model enthusiasts can now showcase their aircraft with 3Wire's new logo flightdecks and tarmacs! We’ll integrate the squadron logo of your choice right into the deck image giving the appearance it’s actually ‘painted’ onto the surface. You’ll see tarmac lines, tie-downs, etc. all within the squadron insignia. Decks are printed on quality digital stock paper and professionally mounted on durable 3/16" black Foam-Core. While perhaps not "mil-spec", the insignia integration is certainly a unique way to highlight your model and provide a 'wow-factor' for your display. 3Wire offers a good selection of logos on their model deck page, but you can also request a logo if they don't have what you're looking for. So far they provide bases in three scales - 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32. Be sure to visit their site for pricing and sizing information.

Recently, 3Wire began wholesaling their decks. In addition to the 3Wire site, customers can also now buy direct from Sprue Brothers Models and very soon from The Flying Mule. While The Flying Mule decks feature the same surface images, 3Wire is providing these decks to the die-cast giant on 060 styrene (hard plastic) rather than the Foam-Core. According to Maloof, there are a couple reasons for this. "The styrene is a more durable substrate and more conducive for mass-productions and shipping" said Maloof. "While the styrene is more costly, the quantities we're running allows us to keep the price consistent with our Foam-Core decks.

While The Flying Mule will be offering many popular squadron decks, customers who are looking for less popular squadrons, want a custom insignia, or need a fast turn-around can certainly order Foam-Core decks via the 3Wire website (which also includes free shipping within the continental US).

The Bases

3Wire Design sent two Foam-Core bases to Internet Modeler for review. The first, in 1/48, is for the US Navy squadron VFA-31, "Fighting 31" or "The Tomcatters". As you can see in the image the design on the base is first-rate and really looks awesome. Imagine displaying your F/A-18 or F-14 on one of these bases. It will really make your model stand out, especially when entered in a contest. (The main thing bases provide at a contest, besides providing a great way to display your model, is providing "space" around your model. When it comes to people looking at your model it always helps to have to spaced away from the "competition".)

The second base, to be honest, was one I asked for. I've been working on an Academy 1/72 F-16CG/CJ for a club contest, so I thought it would be great to have the squadron emblem of the aircraft I was working on, from the 162nd Fighter Squadron (FS) out of Springfield, Ohio. As you can see in the images the base - in my opinion - makes my completed model look even better than if it was sitting by itself on a table-top. "Pop!" The base really complements the model quite well.

Conclusion

If you're looking for a unique way to display your modern aircraft, then do yourself a favor and pick up a Logo Flightdeck from 3Wire Design. You'll be happy with how the base and your finished aircraft will look together. It will definitely spark converstaion.

My thanks to 3Wire Design for the review bases, especially the 162nd FS one. Wow!