The Newbie needs help!

I know this thread is a couple months old, but for future reference - try sanded tile grout. This can be mixed to any consistency, and it works very well when recreating the look of snow. Apply sparingly with a brush so you don't remove any paint in places that you want to keep it - the grout might rub it off if it's painted lightly.  Airbrush lightly in areas with white paint that you want to resemble a light dusting of snow on wings, and flat areas. You can apply the grout with a finger, or paint brush. Remember, the thicker the grout mixture, the harder it will be to work with.  If you can find them - there are pearl white paints that reflect light as if it were glistening like snow. This will help give it a more realistic look.  This is what I use for dioramas of any scale. I hope this helps.

                                                                                ~ Cobra Chris

Hi Pheonix 16,

Let's see if I can help, firstly the saw dust particals may be a bit out of scale for 1/48. Try plaster of paris. That's what I use for snow. It cures very quickly. To simulate melting snow I mix the plaster with water till it is like thick milk. With a small cup I pour little dribbles here and there and along the side of roads or tarmac. Then with a hand pump I spray water on surfaces that I want snow and sift dry plaster over these areas. I continue adding water and plaster until I'm satisfied with the effect.

Your airfield is situated in mountanous terrain so your base would therefore be mostly sand and rock. For 1/48 use the finest sand you can get (dried mud)and the smallest stones(coarse sand) for your terrain and secure them down with lots of diluted white glue using a pipette.

The sand paper for the tarmac is do-able. Cut it in scale sized squares for concrete slabs. Glue them down properly closely at the joints and make sure there are no dog ears. When dry score the joints with the back of a hobby knife. After painting and dry brushing the surface of the tarmac, add a pin wash of black in between the joints.

Oil spills on the tarmac can be done with the thinned wash and splattered randomly.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Richard

Is it possible to use saw dust glued down with a coat of paint over tthe top, or would the particulant be too large ? just a thought also have you ever heard of  using fine sand paper for a runway?

My thoughts exactly when I started this project but the aircraft really looked cool  with the "Arctic Camo" however after some research the landscape revealed to be quite mountainous and providing a harsh winter the theme I am looking for might work. My idea is not so much to create an arctic theme but like you were saying an airbase with dustings of snow and accents to create a look of harsh conditions I appreciate the imput and thankyou for the help.

Sorry to be picky, but since when have the Czechs anything to do with arctic? Even in soviet times Czechoslovakia didn't have any overseas ambition. Even in winter you probably don't want too much snow near a running jet engine, because of the F.O.D. - foreign object damage, caused for example by ice clumps sucked up by the jet, wearing the engine prematurely or damaging it. Although the Su-25 had a mighty sturdy engine, who would like to strain it for nothing? I think you'd be better off with a generic "airfield" pad with just hints of snow.

Have a nice day

Pawel

Ya might want to hold off on using baking soda.It's supposed to have a bad chemical reaction with the model in the long run.

For snow you could use woodland scenics snow or baking soda but you have to seal the baking soda because it turns yellow after a while.