Painting Bomb Stripes

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

My recently completed F-105D Thunderchief required painting those blasted yellow stripes on the nose of 16 bombs. Straight strip decals won’t work because of the compound curve and I couldn’t find the right curved decals. Freehand painting is too sloppy, so I devised a jig to assist in the process.
I took the front crankcase and bearing from an old K & B 40 engine for radio control airplanes and mounted in on a vertical piece of plywood. This in turn was mounted on a flat base. If you look at the back side of the carburetor base, you will notice the result of a rather abrubt, unscheduled return to terra firma. Some insensitive people call this a crash. Hence the need for a new front casing for my engine.
Directions:

  1. Place the nose of the bomb into the opening in the bearing.
  2. Rotate the bomb with the fingers of the left hand
  3. Using the right hand, apply paint brush, (with yellow paint on the bristles), to the nose of the bomb.
  4. The more pressure that is applied to the brush, the wider the stripe becomes.

I doubt that very many plastic modelers have spare RC engines lying around, so it might be necessary to contact the local RC flying club and see if any of their members can supply such an item. I doubt that I am the only one to ever render an engine unserviceable due to said harsh landing.

I have a small, electric motor that I am trying to figure out a mounting method for so that the bomb can be rotated continuously and more smoothly than my shaky left hand.

Darwin, O.F. [alien]

2

I paint the bomb Yellow, then use a miniature rubber band, the type used for orthodonic braces, as a mask. It will conform to the compound curvature & lay down flat. Spray OD & it’s done, nice, neat & quick.

Regards, Rick

3

Where can you get those Rick?

4

Both of my older Grandsons had braces & I had them get me a lifetime supply from their orthodonist. I’m pretty sure they are available commercially, but off hand I don’t know where. Check with a local Orthodonist & he might sell you a box.

Regards, Rick

5

I’m pretty sure you can pick them up at the local Pharmacy… I’m trying to remeber where i used to get mine, but aparently I’ve repressed most of my memories associated with Jr. High…[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

6

Two great ideas, guys, thanks.
The rubber band one I especially like.
For the spinning method, I have been working on a bomb-holding jig that will fit into the chuck of my cordless drill. As long as I can get it to spin symmetrically, simply touching the brush to the spinning bomb will leave a nice line. A little tedious, but it gets the job done too.

7

I use an electric motor from and old erector set. I have it rigged up where it has a clamp that i can position so it keeps the bombs completely straight.