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Making Blue Angel finish pop

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  • Member since
    August 2020
  • From: Fort Worth, Texas
Making Blue Angel finish pop
Posted by Deaf Smith on Saturday, September 12, 2020 8:51 PM

The Blues keep their aircraft looking like they just came off the showroom floor.  What might one do to add some contrast and realism to model. Panel line accent? There's has to be something some of y'all have discovered. Many thanks.

Dale

Deaf Smith

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Sunday, September 13, 2020 11:22 AM

Kinda think that color scheme and markings really pop on their own.you mentioned highlighting panel lines,thats dirt so I would think not.My 2 cents only

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Sunday, September 13, 2020 12:56 PM

Tojo72

Kinda think that color scheme and markings really pop on their own.you mentioned highlighting panel lines,thats dirt so I would think not.My 2 cents only

 

I concur.  They are super clean.  Only way to accent it is a flawless gloss finish.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: Earth
Posted by DiscoStu on Tuesday, September 15, 2020 11:26 AM

My Aunt used to work for the Blues out of Pensicola.  Used to send me all sorts of Blue Angel stuff when I was a kid.  Patches, posters, models, etc.  I got to tour Fat Albert in my younger days.....That was super fun. 

They don't mess around with the cleanliness of their aircraft.  They are highly polished and kept sparkling clean (Same with the Thunderbirds, for that matter).  I would avoid any weathering aside from an extremely slight wash in the wheel-wells.

"Ahh the Luftwaffe. The Washington Generals of the History Channel" -Homer Simpson

  

 

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: Indiana, USA
Posted by Greg on Tuesday, September 15, 2020 11:34 AM

I'm glad you posted this question, Dale, as I've wondered how to handle a paint job on an aircraft like this too.

We both got great advice from talented folks.

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Tuesday, September 15, 2020 12:11 PM

This photo is from 1992 or so and would look better scanned as opposed to just using my phone camera, but those aircraft are kept IMMACULATE!

 

Have a look over in the car forums to see how those guys do their super high gloss shiny finishes.

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    August 2020
  • From: Fort Worth, Texas
Posted by Deaf Smith on Tuesday, September 15, 2020 1:08 PM

Thanks everyone.  All very helpful.  I started this project of doing all the aircraft flown by the Blues in 1/72 back in 1989.  LOL.  Got the first two built back then and left off modeling till just now getting back to it. Hope to finish before I go to see Jesus.  

I am from Pensacola and grew up spending a lot of time at NAS Mainside PNS as my dad worked on the base.  When I started the project I corresponded (by typewritten letters) with Captain Ray Hawkins who flew Bearcats and Panthers with the Blues who answered my questions re: wheel well and landing gear paint colors in the Bearcat. In 1990 while home I visited the Blues' hanger at Sauffley field aboard Mainside where the maintenance crew allowed me to take pictures for modeling detail of all the Hornet's exterior and undercarriage.  They sent me home with several bottles they filled with the Blues' paint; which paint I used on the Bearcat.  A different time.

Deaf Smith

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