Painting a ships propeller

Modeling Subjects Ships
1

I know this has been discussed in the past, so forgive for asking, but i just wanted to get some responses in one place rather than look through loads of threads.

I am building my first large scale ship, a 1/72nd WW2 German late war S-Boat. What would be the best way to paint the propellers. I believe brass is not correct from what i have read on other threads. The boat would not have been in service very long, so they would not be heavly weather

Thanks in advance.

2

I have recently been using Old Bronze paint from the Reaper figures MSP Core Colors line for my older, water worn propellers

Reaper MSP paints are acrylic, very much like Vallejo Model Color or Game Color. Does thin for airbrush

3

Hi ;

You can safely use New bronze, But in a loose stippled pattern. The stippled effect comes from the final buffing before launch.

4

Some small craft propellors were not bronze, but Monel, which is a funky color.

Say 1:4 or 1:5 of Interior Green and Gunmetal (or Steel).

5

Hi,

Alot will depend on what look you are going for. A brand new propeller can be quite shiny with extensive polishing marks, but once a vessels been in service for a while a bronzish color can be very suitable (for many propellers).

Here is a picture of a Flower Class Corvette’s (HMCS Sackville’s) propeller that has been sitting outside for quite some time.

Sackville

Meanwhile here is a modern destroyer, with highly polished props (prior to launching - I believe).

DDG

DDG2

Pat

6

For bronze propellers I start with Copper. Then a very thin, almost transparent coat of brown. Finally, a green zinc chromate wash just to stain and enhance any sharp corners.

Prop should end up looking like the Sackville’s prop. This is for larger ships- never saw a sub out of water so I don’t know. BTW, in more recent years propeller metals have varied a lot- a lot more steel props these days with advances in metal working. But for vintage large ships bronze was the common material.

7

Thanks guys, some great info there. The ship has 3 props so i might try a couple of different things you have suggested and see which i like the look of.