My first ship wip

Jason,

You'll probably get several different takes on this, but if the "correct" color is listed for the time period, etc., of your ship, it is the color you should use.

Having said that, remember you are working in a very small scale and often "correct" paint colors can appear too dark on small models.

Many times, I've mixed in a light gray or white paint to lighten the paint color for "scale effect." Another way to work this out is to paint the ship with the standard color and then lighten it with weathering. In 1/700 scale, drybrushing a mix of the standard color mixed with a light gray can give the right look.

Drybrushing must be very subtle though. A visible brush stroke is huge in this scale.

Some folks don't go for scale effect and just use a lighter paint color, or let the model go dark.

I'm sure you'll get some other techniques too.

Just have fun.

Mike

Hi Jason, welcome to the "light side" ;)

Honestly, I would not worry too much about what shade of grey you have at the momment... there are SO MANY shades/hues of grey, depending on the war/year, nationality, time at sea, scale effect (huge at 700 scale), etc etc. Not to mention the added variable when you are trying to match Humbrol to Tamiya to MM/testors numbers!  Just go with what the instructions say and learn from that.... I know that is what I am doing at the momment, coming back to the hobby after several years absence. Eventually, you will get a feel for the 'correct" grey to be used for specific situations. Most of the time, you will have one "grey" for the horizontal surfaces, a different one for the "vertical" surfaces, something else for the "non-skid" surfaces, and of course, the anti-fouling red (what shade of red?? depends! :), and flat black (maybe!) on some sensor/radar trees.  At the 700 scale, construction is a more important variable; joints can be very visible if not glued properly, especially the ones at right angles. I would suggest to use a light mist of primer after construction but prior to main paint job, to detect any flaws or seams.

This is a link to Mike Ashey's set of books, old classics but still give a good intro to ship building (and they are free, PDF format!)

http://mikeashey.com/BOOK-INDEX-PAGE%20.htm

 Hope this helps!