kielers
to better replicate the blast bags on main guns of this kit.
Something to vex modelers for a long time.
At arms'-length they are clearly an "oilskin"--rubberized canvas--sort of material, and do not look all that flexible. Which is not helped by any paint flaking or breaks/creases in the laytex coating.
Being at sea, and under daily observation and attention, they do not get as dirty as, say, a tank's mantlet cover might.
Frome the deck edge railing the color is very much more solid, and the material, perhaps more flexible--but may be more from the knowledge that it is, rather than any tangible appearance.
By the time a person is any distance away, 50 or 100 meter, they are just a uniform color, and as "smooth" as the metal around them--just a different color.
As to modeling, putty is as often used as any other medium. Although foils, paper, and the like have also been used, to verying degrees of satisfaction.
Moulded plastic is often less-tan satisfactory, as it may have fit problems--and, especially, is too uniform--the bags tend to have unique shapes for every mounting.
What has always vexed me is that putty, like Squadron or Milliput can be both too fine and too coarse at the same time. I've found that blobbing it on, then waiting until it's trying to set up can help. (But only can.)