Hi Johan,
You’re right about the F117 not being totally black, it’s more like a really dark grey. What I intend to do is paint the whole thing matt black but then airbrush a few coats of Tamiya flat base. If you have anough flat base in the mixture actually makes colours look slightly grey ( or dusty as I found on my olive drab comanche), it should turn out really well. I’ll let you know how i get on.
Dan
Dan
I think I’d like to jump in with my 1/48 F/A-22A. Is it too late to join?
I don’t think so. We never really had a starting date and the end date is the end of this year. So, yeah! Jump on in and [#welcome]
Cheers,
John
I found a thread from november last year regarding the color on the F-117, I found it most useful.
http://www.finescale.com/fsm/community/forum/topic.asp?page=-1&TOPIC_ID=30213&REPLY_ID=302556#302556
Sorry I forgot…[#welcome] Trigger 74
Hey trigger, please join in. I’ve been so busy with work I haven’t even made a start yet!! Not to fear for the weekend is here!!
I intend to try using Polly-S “Scale Black” for my F-117. I should be getting to that in the next week or two. I’ll let everyone know how it looks.
Thanks guys! Always cool to get an international welcome from a Brit, a Swede and an Aussie!
Just to let everyone know, I tried painting my 1/48 F-117 today using the Polly-S “Scale Black” and it looks a little too gray. Almost a gunship gray, just not dark enough. I think I’m going to make the next coat out of a 50/50 mix of the “Scale Black” and their “NATO Tri-Color Balck” and see how that looks.
Well, the results are in and I would definately recommed something darker than “scale black” I tried about a 50/50 mix with true black and it still seems a little too gray, but it’s much closer. I would recommend using a 70% Black / 30% Gunship gray if you are trying to get that F-117 grayish hue. I’ll get some pics up soon to help you see what it looks like.
Caine,
Thanks for the paint information. I am working on an SR-71C and I don’t want to do it in total black.
Darwin, O.F. [alien]
Here is a photo of my F-117 with the 50/50 coat I talked about. Looks pretty good, but I think it should be just a little bit darker.
I hope the picture displays properly, this is my first attempt using my own server space to store pics.
Call me a coward, but I did my SR-71 and my F-117 both in Tamiya rattle black … gave me a great finish. And ok … it might be a little out of scale, but I think the colour looks just fine on both my aircraft.
I will post photos later this week [:)]
OK!!! You’re a COWARD!!! [:(!]
No, jokin’. [:p] Sounds okay, waitin’ for pics now.
Cheers,
John
Those who are working on an SR-71 might find this of interest. These are original patches that I wore on my fatigue (utility) uniforms during my 1965-1977 assignment at Beale AFB, CA, with the titanium wonderbird.
9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing
9th Reconnaissance Technical Squadron
Darwin, O.F. [alien]
Question: yardbird78, what were you actually allowed to tell your family about where you worked? From what I’ve heard, the secrecy level was pretty intense.
Also, what was your actual position/appointment?
Thanks for the pics.
Cheers,
John
Also, how did the wing patch pictured above come to incorporate the U.S. Coast Guard motto of “Semper Paratus”? [:)]
I got my plane in the mail yesterday. Ready to go now. The PM models kit has plenty of deficiencies but they don’t bother me. Good things are no exterior ejector pin marks, only 17 total parts (I know thats not really a good thing [:0]), and nice large area to paint the camo scheme.
Note on painting the F-117A: When I painted mine I used Floquil Railroad colors engine black. It’s pretty dark with a satin sheen. Then I dull coated and it lighted up by a few shades. Just my [2c]
Hey guys, just an update from me,
Wish I had a digital camera to show you some pics, but I am about 60% done with my F-22. I have the fuselage all assembled, sanded, and primed. The landing gears are built up, and waiting for the final paint job. I scratch-built the instrument panel (came with only a decal) with various digital displays. My only headache right now is the darn intake problem. As-is, I would have had some huge gaps in their fit, so I am currently adding on some sheet styrene to them in order to get a seamless fit. Once this last hurdle is achieved, I’m home free! Can’t wait to get the camo scheme and decals on it!
As a side note seeking advice…I bought some Tamiya ‘smoke’ paint recently. I want to airbrush this onto my canopy in order to give it a slightly tinted look. Any recommendations on how to proceed? I’d hate to screw up this piece. Should I dip the canopy in Future first? Would a thinned-out smoke from the airbrush eat away the future? So many questions, lol. Thanks for any input.
AH1Wsnake, There are alot of more experienced airplane modelers than me but I don’t think that method will work. I’m not sure but it will probably fog the canopy. I’ve tinted a couple of canopies (READ: “couple” not “lots”). I just used a couple drops of food coloring mixed with future and dipped the canopy. The smoke color could be made by mixing red/green/yellow food coloring. Hopefully someone else will have better advice for you.