I’m primarily a ship builder, but I am building a 1/48 P-40B Flying Tiger for my next project just for a change of pace. I’ve always loved the look of those planes. I haven’t built an aircraft in quite some time, (I built several in my teens and twenties, though) and was wondering what the paint of choice for this type of aircraft was according to the experts. I’ve always been a slave to Model Master enamels for my ships, but I’d like to try the others. I hear good things about Humbrol enamels. I also hear that acrylics are now the way to go. Tamiya ? Polyscale ? Also, has anyone used the Polyscale “Dust” color for a fading effect ? If so, does it work well ? Mike Ashey recommends it in his book on building and detailing model aircraft.
I prefer Model Master enamels and Humbrol enamels. I’ve used both on ships,
planes, and military models. I’ve used Floquil paints on occasion, too. I know
nothing about acrylics other than it’s good to paint houses with. Others on this
forum get BEAUTIFUL results with the acrylic paints you mentioned.
Ray
hey Oz1998;
well I use regular lacaur thinner for Humbrol, but another great paint is Aero Masters they have the correct color match for WWII paints, also Polly Scale/Floquil are great paints too, Testors has a very good color match but I’d hit on the Aero Masters or Polly Scale for acrylic or Floquil for Lacaur, then Testors,
As for effect I’d use Polly S’s Oily Black, Grimey Black, Rust, and Tamiya’s clear red(thinned) for the paint and a gum eraser for scuffing, and alot of extra time and it’ll come out outstanding trust me
and remember to relax and have fun
Hi Oz
I use Testor’s Model Master Enamels. For clear coat before decals I use Testor’s MM Acryl Clear Gloss (much better than the over-rated Future Floor Wax) and for a top coat I use Testor’s MM Clear Flat. The AVG P-40’s were ordered in RAF colours Dark Green/ Dark Earth camouflage over Sky Grey undersides. Curtiss used Dupont paint colours which came closest to the RAF colours. The most interesting thing is that the underside was a light Grey. The Osprey Aircraft of the Aces book #41, “American Volunteer Group Colours and Markings” by Terrill Clements explains all the ins and outs for you. I highly recomend reading it before tackling an AVG Shark. Which kit are you building, the old Monogram or the Hobby Craft?
Cheers
Bob S.
72cuda: Thanks for the ideas. Just for something different, I think I’m leaning towards the PolyScale acrylics. I’ll stick to Model Masters enamels on my ships, though. Ever try the PolyScale “Dust” color ? What do you use to thin them with ? Plain water ? I am definitley an acrylic “newbie”. [:p]
Bob: I’m building the Monogram kit. I’ve also recently picked up an even older Revell 1/32 P-40E Flying Tiger kit on ebay. This is the one I built as a teenager, and I loved it. Thanks for the book reference, I’ll check it out. Oh, BTW, the Monogram instructions list the underside as being “Light Blue”. It was actually “Light Gray”