Thanks guys, for the insight! I’ve never worked an AM kit before, but i always heard such good things about those kits. Actually having never heard of problems like that with AM, i hope maybe it’s just that particular kit, or just something unusual about that particular molding? Hmmm…
I love the weathering on this bird, Wulf [tup]
I don’t know if an in-service bird would ever be allowed to actually get that rusty, but it looks completely realistic. What techniques did you use to accomplish it?
-Fred
Roger, that’s because this is a rebox of an older revelogram kit. Mine had the old company logo molded to the exteiror of the horizontal stabs. yes… I said exteiror. I mean come on now. Andy, did yours have that too?
Oh, i sure believe that! I’ve got the same thing for the old Monogram SBD Dauntless i got going for the FAA GB. Granted, one good stroke with a hobby knife for me, and they were gone. But what sense does that make? I mean really…
I, in no way want to take away from the job done on this aircraft. It is really unique and fun to look at.
But I was struck by the amount of rust, and why there seemed to be little or none on the undersides.
I have no idea what material rivets were made from in those days but if it were a non-stainless steel (which is likely), it seems the rust streaks would also flow downward a bit more and not just along the slipstream.
The ground crew for this ship should’ve had the red-lead (or whatever primer) out more often…but I love this model.
Excellent work on the Helldiver. The finish and weathering are truly superb.
Darwin, O.F. [alien]
I’m gonna venture a guess here, Nam.
I surmise that the majority of these aircraft fought in the Pacific during the island hopping campaign. With that, it is subject to the tropical weather. With the monsoons and everything, i believe that the topside saw far more water corrosion than the bottom side. Therefore, far more rust. But that’s my guess.
Regis, that is my final answer…[;)]
Yep, sure did! I got lazy and didn’t even sand it off! Just a reminder to myself that I can produce a decent build from a Revell kit [:-^] I know…that wasn’t nice!
Don’t get me wrong guys. AM kits are, IMHO, some of the best out there. This one just requires more work with the fit issues as opposed to their own molds.
Andy
This particular a/c flew anti-sub patrols in the Atlantic, not the Pacific. Only a handful of Helldivers were used there. Avengers were the main plane used. So, the Helldiver did get some abuse and exposure to the elements. I agree, in all actuality, these planes were not as corrroded as mine appears. However, all artisic and actual photos (which are in black and white) seem to show a more “rust” colored wear. I did portray rust underneath as well. I just didn’t include an underside photo for fear of damaging the model. Those antenna wires can be a pain! I would think rust would not be as prevalent underneath because water/salt would not “sit” there for any length of time. This was just my thought process during the build. I enjoyed trying a new weathering look. It was primarily just an experiment. No harm done expressing opinions here. We are all here to learn. [;)]
Andy