I am having a little luck with Google, but I would like to know if anyone has some good sources for real-world weathering. Particularly with military jets. There are plenty of examples from fellow modellers but i don’t like using someone else’s model as a guide for my own weathering.
I will continue to check out images on the internet in the meantime. TIA!
If you’re not already aware of them, sites like ARC often have large archives of useful walk-arounds by aircraft type. Many are ‘squeaky clean’ airshow shots, but a surprising number are varying degrees of…well…grubby.
Check out here.
I’m presuming you’ve already encountered sites like jetphotos.com and airplane-pictures.net.
Any particular aircraft you’re interested in?
I’ll definitely check those out. Thanks!
Currently I have the F-4B from Tamiya ready for weathering. However, on deck is an F-14A and an F-16C.
I have had good luck with doing photo searches on Google and Bing using the aircraft serial number or BuNo for the specific airframe I’m modeling. When not able to do that, I just look for photos taken of the aircraft in various real-world and combat settings to get the general idea of where the stains and paint fading/wear occur on a particular aircraft…such as the staining and paint damage that occurs on F-14s in the area of the wings that gets pulled in and out of the wing boxes.
I had not thought about that. Thanks for the suggestion!
Hello!
I think I might have another pointer for you - airliners.net and their photo search engine. It frequently gives you photos that google search doesn’t know of and against the name it also has a good number of military subjects, often going as far back as Vietnam War. Hope it helps, have a nice day
Paweł
Doing an image search for the squadron and type often leads to some good results. If you add a locale, that might get you some real good stuff.
Using a search for “vf-111 phantom” or “f-4b vf-84 Vietnam” can turn up good stuff…
I have tried “VF-111 Phantom” and it does have great pictures. What I am really looking for is pictures of leaking panels, grease marks, fuel ports, etc. I am not having much luck with these things specifically. I will keep trying though!
I have had good luck with Google Images. So far I have never come up short for images of aircraft or cars, including weathered aircraft. Only models I have failed to find were old ships- earlier than 20th century. Even then it gives me paintings, which I use with grain of salt, but they are better than nothing.
Nothing beats your own camera though. Attend airshows, and for civil aircraft visit your local airports occasionally.