Bronze Propellers

Modeling Subjects Ships
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Here is a shot of my latest work on simulating bronze propellers (most large ship propellers are not brass or gold, they are bronze). I started with the pot metal props posted in my last wip post on my B110 torpedo boat/destroyer.

After priming the props I put on a coat of Testors Copper. Then, a very thin translucent coat of Testors gloss dark Brown. Both of these were with an airbrush. Then, I did very light shading in a few areas by dry brushing Testors Olive Drab. These props are half inch diameter, and I think they do a fair job in representing cast bronze.

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Filed away, thanks Don.

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Don, nice work. I do the same thing with my propellers if I am going to show the ship weathered. The dry brush with the brown and green really makes the props look like they been heavy used or sitting in salt water over a long time.

Marcus

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Nice looking. I’m lucky if I haven’t lost one by the time I finish the model.

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They look good Don. I usually use Tamiya’s Bronze paint but they never look like that!

Steve

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Lovely result and a useful tip!

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Looks good to me.

Compares well to this one (out of the water since 1947):

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The thing is…

it is really hard to find props that have a decent shape. Most plastic props have blades that look like prickly pear leafs.

If memory serves, the old Revell Essex kits had good ones. But I dither…

i have made quite a few using a hole punch of thin plastic, three glued to a tapered stick.

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Your bronze looks great. I always kinda shudder when I see bright brass or gold screws on a model. Even brand new they weren’t like that.

Vallejo bronze with a wash looks pretty good too. At least it looks kinda like I remember the ESSEX class screws of the 60’s while in drydock. Memory can be pretty subjective though - mine is.

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Nice work, really looks clean but not too clean. I’ll be trying this method on my next naval project! Thanks for sharing.

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I stipple on some Mr thinned putty then Vallejo Bronze followed with a black oil wash.

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Capitan;

Das is a dirty ,vorn looking U-Boot .You must be doing goot chob , looks vell veathered . T.B.

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double post

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This guy is a client of mine, does a lot of ferry and tugboat work. You can see bright, dull and really oxidized all here. That one by the yellow bollards musta hit something…