I’m going to tackle a Hasegawa Lear 35 that I started years ago and has subsequently been lost in the fourth dimension for ages. I just dug it out and want to finish it as a C-21 using Caracal decals as a gift for a friend who flew them.
The leading edges of the wings and tail and engine cowl lips are chrome, as is the windshield frame, and I’m wondering about using foil to address those areas. I’ve read and looked at YT vids about foiling. I’ve never used it, so am I better to foil or mask and paint with chrome silver? In particular, I’m trying to figure how to foil the curve of the engine intakes. Any ideas? I don’t want to make more headaches than necessary.
BMF is great stuff, once you get the knack of how to use it. I’m still on the uphill side of the learning curve, but I figure I have to start somewhere, right?
Like lacquer, it will show you your mistakes in BOLD copy, so surface prep is very important.
Something like a round intake; you do it in a bunch of little pieces.
Alclad is a good solution for this. Use the chrome for a brand new aircraft, just plain aluminum for a plane that has seen some service. Mask off that area and undercoat with gloss black, then the Alclad.
I might be inclined to try it in flat areas or some raised pieces, trim maybe where you never used it before. But things like cowls and such I’d stick with metal paints, be that Alclad, maybe AK Metal etc… Go with something you know the ropes of overall though. Alclad chrome is pretty convincing, maybe a bit fragile.
I looked at photos of the actual Lear 35. The engine cowls would be really difficult to finish in BMF. You would need to foil the cowls in sections. BMF does not work well on compound curved surfaces such as engine cowls. I think that paint would work better. That’s what I do on my models.
Mask off the area.Airbrush enamel gloss white then after a one hour drying time use a cotton swab and rub lightly with aluminum polishing powder.It will turn chrome.Seal w/gloss.
When foiling intakes I do this. I cut a strip in a size that will overlap Into the intake. Then Carefully cut slots in the strip. Don’t cut to far. Now line it up with the ring or panel line at the trailing edge of the area. Burnish the joint with a Number one aluminum handle that is smooth and scratch free. Make sure the seam is small and at the Bottom.
Now carefully take those little leaves. Fold one into the intakes. If it goes in to far carefully pull it out and trim to fit. Then fold the remainder inwards, and Burnish with a tapered Aluminum handle. This will smooth it out and give it a high shine.
I wish I could post from my phone and I would show you what I mean.
Discretion is the better part of valor it’s said. Thanks for the info and suggestions everyone. I will take “Pete’s path of least resistance” and paint those areas. I’m still getting my legs under me with this hobby after being away for so long, so I’ll opt for PPOLR. I have enough “oh &%#*” moments as it is.
The nacelles on this B-24 are BMF. The cowlings are painted with Testors’ Metalizer Aluminum Plate. I tried covering the cowlings in BMF but it just proved to be too difficult.
