instrument panels

Practice, practice, practice!
I just started scratchbuilding a panel for my F-22. Wasn't satisfied with the kit decal for it, so I am cutting out some squares from sheet styrene to make the Multi-Function-Displays. Just wanted to provide a little depth in there, nothing to drastic. This is my first attempt a trying something like that. You just have to decide that you want to try a new technique, and not be afraid to do it over a few times before you learn it!

hey that really works!!!!!!!!!!!
and the other one is great too

On molded dials I use a very sharp silver artists pencil and pick out the detail with it... works decent.. for me dry brushing wasn't a strong point with instrement dials haha

These are the ones you buy at artist supply stores, not walmart and supermarkets... (about $1.00 or so each)

the pic is kinda blurry as I had to crop a downsized version of the original to show you... but you can get the gist..

thanks guys

I use similar techniques already mentioned. I also add dial decals sometimes, here's a picture of a modified panel (I sanded down the original and rebuilt it) before painting, and you can clearing see all the different pieces.



But at the end, I still used drybrushing to highlight corners. Drybrushing on dials can be difficult, dial decals do solve that problem nicely.

Well, with the A-10 that I just started, I had to pretty much add all the detail, so I used PE leftovers, some styrene and aluminum scraps to create the instruments, then I painted, drybrushed (tried a little flat aluminum, didnt' turn out well, had to repaint) then added an oil wash. Just have to try the Future for the dial/instrument face glass and it'll be done.

This is the most I've ever done for an instrument panel, and I'm happy with the results.

Pics of it are in the A-10 "What If" group build thread.