Finally, I've been able to complete my take on Gregg Boyington's P-40 #21 that he flew with the AVG. I was hoping to do an entire work in progress, but alas, someone decided to err, uhm... permanently borrow my old cell phone. May it blow up in their ear. It actually worked out for me, but unfortunately most of my pictures of the P-40 didn't back-up for some reason. So, I'll describe what I did the best I can, and give a play by play on the paint.
First, and I think buried deep within the group build page is a description and some pics, I started with Revel's P-40. And I must say: What an absolute piece of crap!!! I guess if you're just starting out it'd be an okay kit to practice on, but jeez... We'll start by noting the famous "Revel 1964" that's stamped on the bottom. Not a big deal, a little sanding takes care of that. However, the cockpit is ALL WRONG in all kinds of ways. So I went with the True Details Cockpit and seat. Now, you have to do a little modification, but it's well worth it in the end.
I don't much like this picture. It's too pixilated, but you get the idea.
Also, if you want to place the flaps in the down position, there is a monstrously huge gap on the bottom of both wings. They did not provide for anything above the flaps, so not only can you see the bottom of the top wing sections, but back into the wings as well. I had actually cut and eased the cowl flaps out, again showing another huge gap. I ended up picking up another kit, they're cheap enough, reversed the flaps and glued them into the top wing section above the flaps, and found a spare part to "act" as the bottom of the engine. You really can't see the later, but it really cuts that blank space out.
Then lastly, there are no spars in the wheel wells, so I ended up stretching some sprue down and gluing them in place. Ended up looking pretty good. This is one of the step by steps I had on my phone, so some dope head ought to be pretty good at it.... if they can keep their hand steady enough. Pictures later on that one.
I will say that the kit, in and of itself, really went together pretty easy. Like I said, it'd be a good beginner kit. Or a good kit for someone like me who wants to learn to fix some pretty serious screw-ups. So, after getting it together I got her taped, primed, and shaded... all ready to be painted.
Then I mixed the initial base coat of brown paint. Three parts Tamiya Yellow to one part Tamiya Red-Brown. Looks pretty close.
Then the fun part began. This is the very first time I've ever done a camouflage pattern, I wasn't 100% sure about how to go about it, but had a pretty good idea so I went with it.
Then I over sprayed the brown with Tamiya's standard Olive Drab (NOT Green), and again, I think it worked out pretty well.
Now, I did note some cut marks where I went a little deep with my knife when cutting through the tape. I was a little discouraged at first, but sucked it up and worked the problem. I turned my airbrush down a tad, took the nozzle off, and did some of the finest touch-up work I've done to date. Then I patted myself on the back!
Next, I took a real deep breath, summoned every bit of guts I had, and started the weathering processes. Why so worried? It looked so very good! My wife had even made the comment that she like this bird far more than any of the others because of the pattern!
On the bottom, which I had airbrushed with Tamiya's Flat White, I initially went over with the same yellow, red-brown that I already had loaded in my other airbrush. Honestly, I couldn't have asked for a better contrast, and it was exactly what I was looking for. Also, note the spars in the wheel wells. They made all the difference in the world, though I did find out there are only eight, not nine, after the fact. Nine was my best guess at the time.
Top side, I ever so lightly went back over the green with the same mixture of yellow, red-brown; as if the green had faded/worn through via wear and tear. Then I went back and dry brushed some cockpit green, for primer bleed through, and Tamiya aluminum, for skin bleed though. After that I went over the top with some 1,200 grain sandpaper, again lightly, to blend everything together. This also had the added benefit of bleeding some of the brown though naturally...
Also, I spent quiet a bit of time doing rivet detail:
Here's the bottom finished up. I did go back and did a light wash of Tamiya Smoke and Tamiya Flat Black (heavily diluted). I wanted to try something new on the gun's smoke trails by taping them. Won't be repeating that again. I actually went back and fixed it, and you can't really tell except in very strong light, a.k.a. sunlight.
Here's kind of a crummy picture of the cockpit. I went, as I normally do, for a beat up old war bird. It actually looks much better in person. You can see the glass on the individual instruments, and chipped paint from wear and tear...
And here's a look at the finished project. I chose not to go with the smaller number on the front. Many, if not most, of the early AVG pictures don't seem to show them, and I left off Boyington's name. It seems like it's about 50/50 on those. I did go back and do a light wash with the Smoke and Flat Black, adding in the exhaust and gun smoke. Also, I took some 1,200 grain sand paper and laid the sharp end of my Exacto knife perpendicular with the decals and VERY gently wore through them, again indicating wear and tear usage. I know that there are better examples out there, but I'm stoke about this one. For such a horrid model to work with, I learned A LOT and feel I've come a long way with this one.
Top View:
Starboard View:
Port View:
I hope you enjoyed taking a look. As always constructive criticism is welcome.... Thanks! Raymond
