If I want to try to use mainly Tamiya spray enamal for my F-22 build, what would be the appropriate colors? The instruction seem to be in Gunzy paint code only.
I can’t speak to the Tamiya colors, but they may get you close, but here is a link to my build and how I painted mine. Paint and sheen came out perfect.
/forums/t/124497.aspx
In the link, my painting procedures were as follows:
What I did was use Alclad Dark Aluminum mixed with Humbrol 125 for the dark areas an Alclad Aluminum mixed with Humbrol 126 for the lighter areas. Here is how I mixed it…can be a little tricky, so have patience:
For the dark areas, thin the Humbrol 50-50 with thinners and then mix that solution mixed with the Alclad on a 50-50 ratio. Mix the Alclad with the Humbrol a few drops at a time or you risk mucking the mixture. then Airbrush on.
For the lighter areas, thin the Humbrol 50-50 with thinners, but mix that solution with the Alclad at a 40-60 mixture in favor of the Alclad…this will give you that hint of shimmer. Then Airbrush on.
Please note to not hold the airbrush too far, or the mixture will have a tendency to be more course on the surface. If that happens, you can rub it a bit with blue tack poster putty…that will not harm the surface, but removes any rough spots. I live in a dry climate, so you may not experience this.
Don’t forget to cut out your template to cover the dark areas with paper. I used the blue tack and raised the template about 1/8th of an inch to produce feathered edges.
Not sure if you are looking for something this complex, so I hope this helps.
Hutch
I used rattle cans… I used Tamiya Light ghost gray on the leading edges… Medium gray over of the surface, and gunship gray for the dark places… I think it worked out pretty closely. But I don’t build to compete either.
I have seen F-22s in person (though not outside) and I still have no idea what this metallic sheen people keep talking about is.
There are pictures of F-22 in flight where most of the aircraft but particularly the leading edges show an almost matellic sheen, quite unlike the subdued dull gray normally used to reduce visibility. If I recall from reading about it a while back this sheen is caused by a new type of speckle paint whose light reflecting properties are directional and actually reduce visibility in most many circumstances. I am not sure if all F-22 are painted with it, or if only some are so painted. I also don’t know if this speckle effect can only be seen under certain light conditions, or if it should be noticeable whenever the plane is so painted.
All F-22s are painted with the same radar reflective and absorbent material that does have a sheen. There is a new product from Hawkeyes called Raptor Sheen:
http://store.spruebrothers.com/hawkeyes-hobbies-f-22-raptor-sheen-for-enamel-paints-p22880.aspx
It is similar to the Alclad in that it is an additive. I do hear that there are other companies coming out with Raptor oriented paint…
But I bet you can get a nice look with the rattle cans.
As Paintsniffer says, the sheen is probably not as apparent indoors…very noticeable in the sun light.
Good luck…
I found a picture of a close 2 ship F-22 formation where one plane appears to have the sheen, the other plane appears to be completely dull. Although the patterns appears to be very similar, the actual colors appears to be slightly different. The paint on the F-22 with the sheen appears to be slightly purplish, where as the one without appears to be be just different shades of blueish gray.
The two aircraft in the photo appear to be development/test ships, judging by the air data probes on the nose and the Edwards AFB tail codes… It would not be unusual for them to wear a multitude of pant schemes during testing.
Here’s another interesting pic: