It seems the worse is over. I figured I'd share my marathon painting session last night as I binge watched Ghost Hunters (which scares me). After check seams one final time, I preshaded the panel lines.
I broke out the Montex masks and got painting. It was easy as it only consisted of two stars and "104" on the fuselage. I also threw down the blue fuse band at this time. I used XF-8 Blue cut with white until it matched the decal. I wish they would have included the shark mouth. Quite frankly, the use of the kit decal worries me.
As I continue to wait for the AK Real Colors to arrive, I did some research on paint colors. Like the earlier B/C AVG planes, this particular subject seems to have been painted for RAF use by Berry Brothers, who were sub contracted by Curtiss. They called them "Dupont RAF equilavent", as Dupont was the paint brand. I read the paints varied in shades. Rather than continue to wait for my AK paints, I figured I'd mix my own concoction with Tamiya paint. I get impatient sometimes. The undersides were apparently done in light grey instead of Sky or Duck Egg. I went with half XF-53 Neutral Grey and half XF-19 Sky Grey. I added white to marble it up in a reverse black base technique. Control surfaces were lightened too.
For the Dark Earth I went more brown. I used 75% XF-52 Earth with a 25% XF-64 Red Brown.
I added some XF-57 Buff and faded that turkey out a bit. I used the same marbling technique.
I used blue tac worms to tape off the camo pattern.
Cheap masking tape eliminates overspray issues.
XF-81 RAF is then fired down. I know, what a mess. This was also faded with the marbling technique using XF-57 Buff.
Everything removed. I‘m pleased so far.
I presume these had RAF markings at one time which were painted out. I simulated this here and on the top starboard wing.
Next I will start the weathering process with a postshade.