In another thread I mentioned pre-shading the interior of a P-40B I’m working on. Couple of people asked me “What’s that?” so I figured I’d share.
I got the idea from an article in the April 2006 Airplane International. The writer was showing how he finished resin pits. I read his methods, and then sorta adopted what he did to my not-so-patient-still-building-skills techniques. Plus, it was a great chance to use my new airbrush.
First, I built the major interior components- unpainted. Sidewall panels glued on, seat to floor, stick, etc. I let it dry, and then airbrushed the whole affair flat black. (In the article, the author used a mixture of French Artillery Green and Matt Black… so I’m lazy. [:)])
After that dried, I thinned down some zinc chromate, and began lightly misting over the interior pieces. For the sidewalls, I did it a little above perpendicular from the side, and for the floor, straight on. I slowly built up the color until it was mostly ZC showing, not black. Along the interior rib lines, etc, the black still shone through. (I actually should’ve stopped about 2 passes earlier than I did- I had it just right, thought I could get it “righter”… live and learn.)
Once that dried, I broke out the ZC again, and my short bristled brush for dry brushing. I then dry brushed the raised detail only. After that, I lightened up the ZC a bit, and did another pass at dry brushing.
The photos below show it at this stage. (The contrast doesn’t show as well in the photos as in person. Trust me- even in this first attempt- I see a lot of potential.)
The next step will be dry brushing and washing as normal. The article goes into great detail about it.
What I learned:
- I need to be more precise in applying the “mist” layer. I realized I should’ve followed the article a bit closer and really tried to hit just the flat high surfaces a bit more precisley.
- The technique, to my eye, really makes the interior details “pop out”, really providing good contrast.
- It’s gonna take some practice- but I like the results.
If this is a common technique- forgive me taking up space with common knowledge. I thought it was cool though, and I’d like to hear from anyone who trys it. Plus, it’s just fun to try new techniques.
Just noticed as I looked at the pics I posted: How did I miss those ejector pin marks?!?!