i just recently recived a model uh-1c “HEAVY HOG” huey that is 1/35 in scale and is by acedemy/mrc and i’m wondering if i should do preshading on the model and if so what do you think i should use for the preshading? Also i was wondering if i could get some tips on preshading since i’ve never tried it before? Lastly i’m wondering if any one could tell me if they know of a good silver arcylaric paint that is noticible because i have a problem with the model master arcylaric silver paint that i used on another model ,whenever i trie using my airbrush to put it on it so light of a color you can’t even see it so it looks like water and when i tried painting it by brush that didn’t help at all.
-i attached some photos of the model’s box to get u an idea what the model will hopefully look like
(not sure if the photos will show up 'cause my computer is acting up so i added a link to)
Preshading in my humble opinion is a personal decision. I personnally do not like the effects I have seen on most models and believe it is a lot of work for the little gain. Flying helicopters for over thirty years I have never really seen dark lines where the skins meet, or seams. In fact helicopters, especially military helicopters, in my opinion are the oposite of shading and actually are lighter often at the seams. That is because the paint jobs are beaten to death due to the environment they operate in and all the dirt they collect. Actually the rivets are the first noticeable for wear and tear and start losing the paint. Also because lighter color dirt gets into the seams it gives the appearance of lighter seams rather than darker seams. But again, it is all in the modeler’s perspective. As to the silver, can’t help you there. I use enamels for everything and acrylics for weathering and washes.
thanks for the help i’m probably going to follow charlie’s advice on it and not preshade mainly cause i’m just a begginner model builder and i haven’t tried preshading on any helicopter models yet but thanks for the help
i haven’t really gotten much progress on the huey. so far i’ve just got a couple pieces glued to the underside and i haven’t gotten any painting done yet cause i havn’t raised the money yet to get the paints,but i appriciate the help
Welcome to the forum. If you are just starting out with modeling, a 1/35th helo may seem like a rather daunting build. If you have a few bucks, you might consider doing a 1/72 Italeri UH-1B first to get the feel for a Huey. I love Hueys. I think I have over 70 Huey kits in my stash and I can tell you that the Italeri kit is a great place to start. Good fit and good detail and, best of all, cheap. Anyway, that’s just my 2 cents. I wish you the best of luck with your build and please post her when you are done.
thank’s for the advice ray i just hope i can find the italeri kit at my local hobby shop but if not i just look on the web for the kit. i’m going to go really slow on this model and really trie so it doesn’t look like crap like the last model i built (i rushed on it and practically finished it in 2 days so that can explain
Try the search feature as a while back the fellows did a very detailed thread regarding all variants of the Huey helicopter. Many included their personal photographs from Vietnam. Its a long thread but should contain all things Huey. They included all weapons systems / modifications / conversions / interior detail / units that served. Trust me you need that link!
You are so right about the Huey thread. Here’s the LINK. I had a nice thread with a bunch of links to other Huey threads but the restructuring of the Finescale website broke all the links. Too bad too as I put a lot of time into getting them all together. anyway, the above link will fill all your Huey needs for quite a while!
Paint choice is a personal preference. I prefer to use Testors Model Master enamels, I hate acrylics. If you go with enamels, you will need an enamel thinner. I use lacquer thinner as it gives a nice, flat finish.
I remember that huey link page you posted, it was very helpful. Damn shame its gone. I loved that “unusual huey” page you created, (a favorite of mine) for anyone wanting to step away from the huey model guidelines and step into the wonderful world of the genuine huey hybrid in vietnam it was invaluable. Is it still about? do you have the link?
funny, i dont remember any light or dark lines on my 1/1 scale uh1n while stationed with det 6/40th arrs at hilloman afb nm. and i washed it atleast once a week. you would think i woule remember a thing like that. and my f-15 didnt have them either when i worked with the 49 tac fighter sq at holloman afb nm
Most military equipment-wheeled or track vehicles and aircraft-do not show any real exact consistency in paint colors. Different paint lots differ. This was especially true when FS34087 olive drab was the standard color (Vietnam Era). Most, Army aircraft in particular, varied greatly, depending on age, area of usage, crew concern and care, diligence of organic maintenance, battle damage, repair work, paint work status, etc. Some often looked like a patterned paint job, beauty was not a mission factor. Theatre repair at the Unit, Direct and General Support levels took care of what was needed, usually not a general rebuild of airframes. Often aircraft became hybrids-ex. use of UH-1C tailbooms, stabilizers, and engines in UH-1B’s, upgrades of UH-1D’s to UH-1H’s. Major repair and rebuild, sometimes done at deports in theatre were often accomplished by aircraft being returned to repair depots INCONUS. It is not unusual in the historical records of aircraft to find them delivered in the U.S., in Vietnam, back in the U.S., back in Vietnam or other OUTCONUS locations, back in the U.S., etc. Sometimes at the unit maintenace level, some parts were primed-zinc chromate- and reinstalled without finish painting to increase aircraft mission availability. Within reason and allowances, you did with what you had to do with to keep them FMC-Fully Mission Capable- and available.
