"Scale Effect"? This Looks Like Crap!

The "scale effect" is a very contentious issue. Many people feel it's crap, but there is a physical basis for the effect.
If your eyes were 12 inches from a 1/72 scale aircraft, the size of the model is the same as the actual size of the full size plane if it were 72 feet away. At that distance, you can't see rivets or panel lines.
Also, due to diffusion of light through the atmosphere between subject and viewer, shades and colors tend to wash out somewhat. A case in point - take a color chip in your hand and stand 72 feet from a large object painted the same color. The color of the full sized item will appear lighter than the color chip in your hand.
There are rather complicated physics that I don't fully understand that explain this effect fully, but rest assured there is a valid scientific basis for the claim.
In truth, whether you do or don't apply the "scale effect" is purely up to you.
I do tend to lighten aircraft colors for small scale planes just a tiny bit - for some reason it just plain looks better, even on a "factory fresh" plane.
In the end, you just have to do whatever you think is best for yourself, and nuts to anyone who doesn't like it.
Cheers
LeeTree

IMHO, it doesn't look too bad. The "too light" shade may be just because the camera flash was a little too close, or the lighting too bright. I've seen several kits done with this technique that look reaaly good. If scale effect isn't your thing, don't try it. I know that almost none of my planes are exactly the right color. As long as it looks good and is prety close, I could care less if it's the exact color used.

demono69

Sounds like too much white was used. I've been lightening paints for the proper scale effect for many years and always seem to achieve the right look.

According to IPMS Stockholm, the following is the correct amount of white to use for each scale:

1/32......7%
1/48.....10%
1/72.....15%
1/144...23%

I hope this of some help.

Pete

I guess it depends on the subject. I built a 1/32 F-14A Tomcat, and I added a "decent" amount of white to the Gull Gray paint, and the model is still too dark. When I look at photos of F-14's from the 70's, I realize that I should have lightened the paint up still more.

DJ

Toatly agree.

I think it depends on what YOU want your model to look like, and any technique you use to get it to look that way is fine, as long as YOU are satisfied.
Look at reference pix, look at the real machines, if possible, and mix your colors to match what your eyes see.

I don't know if I'd agree that there's a specific ratio of white you must add to get a "scale effect," but I would say that most model paints are too dark out of the bottle to represent in scale what the eye sees full size.

Very subjective topic!
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder..."
But is accuracy?