Just a photo of my current project- another BOB Spitfire. This morning, I touched up the brown where I had to do some minor repair, and added a lightened faded effect on the fabric control surfaces. I wish I had pics of the first part of the build, but am just now learning to use a new camera. More pics to come as she shapes up!
Frank
Looks good Frank. The lightened paint on the fabric areas adds to the realism.
Regards, Rick
Looking GOOD !
Bud
Nice touch
Thad
Its one or two details like that which really set off a model. Sometimes we get so immersed in details and counting rivets that we dont remember the scale dimension of VIEWING the model. Pore over all the walkarounds that you like, but step back and look at some pics of the real planes taken at viewing distance, too. Makes a big difference.
Something else that adds a nice touch of realism is to vary the colors of the flight surfaces in such a way that it looks like they were replaced in the field. This, in fact, happened often to fabric covered control surfaces. Most any good photo book of line operations from the period will show this sort of work being done.
Also often seen were painted over markings. A good example of this were the Germans. They had an especially elaborate system of markings to denote Staffel, Geschwader and individual planes - all of which were applied OVER the factory paint job. They simply obliterated any temporary radio call markings on the plane upon delivery at the front - with whatever appropriate color paint they were able to mix up in the field! Then they painted the operational markings on. The result could be a real hodgepodge of color.
Patches and various other anomalies where also seen on what would otherwise be a smooth, painted surface. Just remember to add weathering touches that add to the same level of “field experience” that a plane with such repairs would exhibit.
Nice looking Spit Frank, please post some more pics as you move on with the painting.
Also, did you leave the tail planes off to make painting the camo easier? If so, smart move.
Cheers
Thanks for the kind words everyone!
Darren-
I will post pics as I progress with the camo. And yes, I did leave the tailplanes off to better facilitate the masking process. I checked their alignment before starting the painting to make sure they would be easy to attach afterwards without having to worry about how well they fit. They should fit beautifully!
Frank
I was finally able to finish up the masking this morning. Will hopefully get the green sprayed on tonight or tomorrow. I masked it with Handi-Tak and Tamiya masking tape, and will post pics after I get the masking off!
Sharp looking so far!!
I’ve been busy on the Spit today. Here she is with the green laid on. I apologize for the poor photo quality, still working on the right settings on the camera!
Frank your base camo looks excellent, please keep us posted as the weathering comes along.
Darren
Thanks Darren. I’ll keep posting pics as I progress.
Well, looks like the Spitfire is going to have to be scrapped. I started with the decals this week, and had most of them go bad while trying to put them on. They were Aeromaster decals, and appear to have a defective clear coat and poor color printing. They wrinkled up, and Microsol helped a lil’ but wouldn’t straighten them out. The blue colors ran, and smeared over the adjacent colors. They also ended up with strange clear blobs on them. I should’ve checked one on a scrap plane first, but they were Aeromaster and I have been using them for years without incident. I used the scotch tape removal method, and got most of them off but pieces stayed put and refused to lift off. I ended up trying to sand them off, but they stayed put and the adjacent paint and future sanded down leaving little decal lumps. Looks like I should’ve stuck with the Tamiya decals as I have NEVER had a problem with them. [soapbox]
Daywalker, just strip the paint. this will get rid of any nasty decals, and you cna repaint it, because you’re really good at it! It shouldn’t be too hard for you to replicate[:)] Good luck!
Rad-
Thanks for the kind words. Maybe I’ll let her sit for awhile while I regain my composure and try it again…
[BH]
Frank don’t loose heart on this one. Wet sand the offending decals off, repaint and go at it again. You know you can do it and you will get over that gut wrenching “why me” feeling sooner than you think.
Deep breath and remember this hobby is all about fun and relaxation [(-D]
Darren
Sorry to hear about the trouble you’ve had with the decals [:(]
I hope you have another go as your build was an impressive one, it would be a shame to scrap it now. We’ve all been there at one time or another, don’t let this get you down. The sooner you start getting back into it, the better!
Good luck![tup]
Well, I’m not quite ready to give up yet. I have been brushing on the microsol for three days, and think I can live with the upper wing roundels once I do some “liberal” weathering on them. I think I’m going to have to heavily wear the gun bay covers to cover up the poor decals.
The only decals to put on yet are the codes and s/n’s, but I’m afraid to use the Aeromaster ones, and the only other markings I have for a Spit with a fuse band and small fuse roundels are the ones of Douglas Bader from the Monogram Spit. The Monogram decals are slightly out of register, and the pennant below the windshield is in pretty bad shape. Am planning at this point to wait a day or two before deciding on the lesser of the two evils.
You know you can slice small holes in the air bubbles in the decals, apply some Micro Sol or Micro Set, and flatten the decals with a cotton swab or a cloth. That’ll make the bubbles disappear. Would be a shame to have decals like that on such a great camo finish!
Thanks, I cut a series of small holes and slices to get the decals to settle down this far. Unfortunately, this is about as good as I can get them.
Frank