"Tying in" a camoflage paint job

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

Hi guys,

I’m finishing up the camo job on my P-39. I practically NEVER do camo jobs but I wanted to sort of branch out. Anyway, i’ve heard of people sort of blending in or tying in their camo jobs with a highly thinned top coat of a lighter color. So that’s kind of where my question comes in. On a plane that is basically dark green and dark earth, how would one do this? Or maybe I should ask “Should I do this?”

Thanks

for your help!

Eric

2

I have only done this with armour, and i think it would depend on the type of paint scheme. It sounds like you have an RAF type camo, if so, personally i wouldn’t do it on this.

3

I tend to use a very diluted light sand color mixed with a flattening agent as a panel post-shader and generic dust layer over camo paints, but if the camo colors are on the cool end of the color spectrum then I’ll use a light neutral gray to do the same thing.

You should be able to use a light sand or buff and get away with it but I have to remind myself each time that it isn’t really a full coat of paint but rather a light dust effect.

If you look at the Su-25 thread you’ll see my latest example of this.

4

You’re exactly right, Bish. It is the British scheme from when the P-39s were supposed to go to the British.

I just find it funny that since I’ve never done a camo plane like this before, I feel like I don’t know what to do! I build tons of OD over grey planes and even NMF planes without batting an eye but the camo jobs befuddle me.

Eric

5

Any thoughts on how i could tone down the decals? I’d like to depict the plane fairly weathered.

Thanks,

Eric

6

When it comes to aircraft, i tend to keep weathering on the light side. Aircraft don’t seem to get as dirty as armour. It would also depend on the sort of runways it was useing. A muddy or dusty dirt stripe would have a different effect from an aircaraft kept of tarmac.

7

For that I’ve used 2000-grit polishing paper and lightly worn the ink off the decals but take care not to polish the surrounding paint. Decals that have multiple layers built up over a white base can be a lot trickier to weather this way.

8

Dre, those are some nice results! I think I’ll be giving this technique a try.

Eric

9

Nice tip Dre, hadn’t thought of that one.

10

Load up the airbrush and post shade low areas, panel lines with a dark color, creating shadows. Then load it up with a light color, buff/white/gray, and airbrush high areas, corners, edges, creating highlights. This light mix can be sprayed over decals that appear too bright. Washes and a flat coat really help tie everything together.