I am about to embark on my first EVER modeling mission, wish me luck! The instructions call for several Tamiya air-spray colors which, to my understanding, are not available in bottles. I guess I will have to substitute with other brands.
Model Masters have several grey shades, which one is the best choice for “gunship grey”? It is for a Tamiya F-15E. MM has the following grays available:
Standard Navy Gray
Aircraft Gray (gloss)
Israeli Armor Sand Gray
Camouflage Gray
Dark Ghost Gray
Dark Gray (F-15)
Dark Gull Gray
Engine Gray
Euro I Gray
Flat Gull Gray
Gloss Gull Gray
Light Ghost Gray
Light Gray
Light Sea Gray
Medium Gray
After re-reading the list above, I figure Dark Gray (F-15) is trying to tell me something! [oops] Ok, seriously so is that the best color for the F-15? Is it flat?
Also, for MM paints…what kind of thinner do I need? I will be working primarily with acrylics.
Where would I use Engine Gray? It seems like the logical choice for engines, what do you guys think? Would it apply in my case?
“Gunship Gray” is FS (Federal Standard) 36118 (Model Master enamel 1723 / acrylic 4752) This is currently the “overall” colour for the F-15E. The “3” prefix on the FS number indicates that it’s a flat colour (“2” is semi-gloss, “1” is full gloss - eg. FS 16118 is exactly the same colour except in a full gloss finish)
I would suggest using a dark metallic grey for your engines, not “Engine Gray”, FS 36076 - This is an “exterior” colour, not, as the name suggests, a colour for the engines. [:)]
Two more questions: most landing gear is painted white. Which shade of MM white would be the best? And which primer should be used, both in plastic landing gear and metal ones?
As for the “metal” finish of some parts, is “aluminum” better or “steel”? Which specific brand?
Generally, I’m not too fussed about “whites” If it’s for landing gear bays/legs/door interiors, any white will do. If you intend to weather/wash to highlight details, the wsah will impart a slight tint to it which will take the edge off the “starkness” of the white. Sorry, I can’t help much with suggestions for primers because I don’t usually use a primer.
Choice of metallics depends on what sort of look you wish to achieve. “Aluminum” tends toward a flat light metallic grey, where “steel” is usually a (gloss) deeper grey with a strong metallic lustre. “Iron” or “gunmetal” is usually a dark, near black metallic.