Ya know, I just realized something after building models for 20+ years. Very rarly do I weather them. Example: Below is a Tamiya A6M5 Zeke Zero that I finished a few months back that looks like it just got it first coat of freash paint and hasn’t even been out of a hanger yet.
I dunno. I guess I like that “new aircraft look”. To me, an aircraft is much better looking when it looks new. Is that really wrong?
Also, keep in mind that this is first model I’ve completed in at least 5 years!
Naw Bones. There is nothing wrong with that factory fresh look! Thats what modelling is all about. Making something you like the way you like it. B-17 with German marking? It happened! Some folks like to add “history” to their models, some don’t. It’s cool. In the past I’ve made “fresh” ones and I’ve made “wrecks”. Two P-61’s come to mind. The same kits, just one made all shot up. Of course that was wwwwaaaayyyy back when. But it’s all good!!!
Congratulations on the finish.
I, personaly, am of the opinion that many models are spoilt by “over weathering”.
If you have a photo of a badly weathered a/c by all means emulate it but as in all things moderation.
I will admit that the green used on Japanese a/c did tend to weather very badly as did I believe Canadian paint when used on ships.
But it is, as always, a personal choice.
Dai
Bones … Lovely looking model … congratulations!
There is nothing wrong with not weathering models, after all they all started life like that.
Dai:
Regarding the Canadian paint … it wasn’t the paint but the steel underneath wasn’t ‘pickled’ in some yards when the hulls were assembled, and those ships went through their service lives looking positively scabrous!
Regards,
Bruce
Looks really good bones. Now if someone would just invent that new plane smell…
Nice looking Zero, Bones! I, too seldom weather models - count me in as another lover of the factory fresh look. It’s just too easy to overdo the weathering and I have trouble knowing when to stop. So I don’t start!
Beautiful Zero. It looks factory fresh or like you would see today in a museum. I only have one question. If you don’t weather the model, what colour are the exhaust stacks? Why have you got them rust colour? Museum bird stacks are usually painted black and factory fresh stacks are steel colour.
Cheers
Bob S.
Nice build, Bones ! I believe that when we create, there is no such thing as “right” or “wrong.” We are expressing ourselves. If you believe it is what you want to do, by all means do it ! No one else can tell you what is right for YOUR models. That is a personal choice, left entirely to you. I myself do very little weathering, but that’s the way I want my models to look. That Zeke is a beauty. Satisfy yourself, and gain confidence in your builds. I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING MORE OF YOUR WORK ! ! !
Thanks for the praises guys.
Heh, that’s a good point Bob. But wouldn’t the engine have been run long enough for testing that the metal would have already turned? I didn’t think they painted exhuast back then. I figured the paints weren’t good enough to stick to such hot surfaces so they were left bare. Am I wrong?
Bones,
i know where you are coming from. it would be hard to take a flawless looking paint job like that and weather it. and if you want to go factory fresh, you don’t have to. i hope we all build them the way we like them and not to someone else’s standards & specs. i try never to think that someone else’s modeling preferences are ‘wrong’. they are just different than how i would do it.
the only thing that matters is that you are having fun.
ed.
Looks good, Bones!
I believe in this hobby, unless you’re going for trophies, you should do what ya like. You like 'em clean, do ‘em clean! Dirty’s your cup o’ tea? Have at it!
I’m the same way with armor. I like to build relatively clean, relatively undamaged vehicles. A bit of dust, a bent fender here, a scratch there.
Maybe I’m just too lazy! But honestly, that’s how I like to see 'em.
Do what ya like!
It’s a beautiful build and the fact that it isn’t weathered does not detract from that. Build 'em the way you like 'em and if someone doesn’t like it they can look elswhere.
I agree that there would be some rust on the exhaust, if the Japanese were anything like us the engine would have 5-10 hrs.(or more) on it before acceptance and even more before squadron markings were applied at the assigned squadrons base.
Here’s one of the pics I have of a brand new Merlin engine. Note the exhuast stacks.
It makes sense that the steel exhausts would be rusty. Unless protected from the elements or constantly scuffed (wear and tear) steel will rust all by itself just sitting there.
Then there is the heat generated during engine run up and other tests.
Good job on the plane Bones!!! Don’t worry about the weathering if it’s not something you want. Like everyone else said, do the way you like it.
Eric
Not all aircraft showed wear and tear. Some units showed great pride in their aircraft and kept them in perfect condition. Even during combat operations they would polish and maintain the aircraft. So paint your aircraft any way you want to. If someone makes a comment about, tell them “I do it my way, you do it your way”.
Very nice job on the Zero Bones. I go along with everybody else - a matter of personal taste. While I do weather my models, there are a few “accepted” weathering techniques that I never use because to my eye they do not look realistic. Dont’ use a technique you don’t like just because everyone else does.
Jim
Good looking model, Bones. Nothing wrong with this fresh look at all. As Dai Jones has said above, many models are over-weathered, Verlinden-like…
Keep up the good work!
Great looking Zero. Like you, I tend to lean more toward the clean look on aircraft. No need for weathering to mess up the great lines and detract from the intrinsic beauty of the aircraft. Congrats on your first finish! Keep 'em coming…
demono69
I’d agree, whatever turns your prop or lights your burner is the way you should be going.
The way I look at it is the same as reading a book, its a lot more satisfying and enjoyable an activity when your doing it your own way for your own reasons than if someone, say some high school English teacher, makes you read it to a set deadline and read it for certain details over others for a following book report and critique.
A model is a much more satisfying and enjoyable activity when you’re building it for your shelf at home than for the competition table, the standards you work to are your own not some pre ordained standards that will see your project looking like everyone elses on the table.
Weathering is indeed easy to overdo and sometimes it’s totally inappropriate anyway. I highlight my panel lines with a wash, sometimes touch a panel corner with a silver pencil crayon to simulate a bit of light day to day service wear, but the grease smearing, gunpowder coated wings, and paint chipping to the point of looking like many years of total dereliction is not my thing.
Your Zero is a beauty, I much prefer its looks to the typical chipped up WWII Japanese subject matter.