About ten years ago FSM ran a technique article on simulating the subtle ripples that are evident in aircraft skinning. (The unsupported skin between frames and stringers or ribs tends to sag or bulge minutely, giving aircraft surfaces a distinctive and very subtle quilted effect when seen obliquely.) The author had some beautiful photos of models with the sort of subtle distressing he described.
At the time I was not interested in the topic and in time disposed of the issue in question. It seems the topic has failed to interest others, too. I have never seen the technique attempted at shows, and have not come across any discussion of it with the usual caveats, suggested improvements and photos proving points.
Now I bitterly regret discarding this FSM because I badly need a tip or a dozen on just how to distress aircraft skinning. Common sense tells me the idea probably hovered around scoring the plastic lightly with a broad-ended sscriber possibly unusable for other purposes, then sanding along the lines to blend them in, and finally priming over so as to "feather" the finish. But what if the guy had some brilliantly lateral idea I have no way of arriving at without lots of trial and error?
Anyone recall what the technique actually involved?