Thanks guys. Modeling and Summer don't seem to mix. Bench time is getting rare lately. Last night I got some quality time in. I turned my attention to the Dupont upper surfaces. I custom mixed my own version of the dark earth by mixing 1 part XF-52 Flat Earth, 1 part XF-68 NATO Brown, then 1 part XF-64 Red Brown. I cut it with Tamiya Laquer thinner and sprayed it down. It looks good to my eye. This was then cut with XF-57 Buff and the upper surface was streaked. A bit more Buff was added and I lightened the fabric control surfaces.
Most of the pictures of AVG P-40s that I've seen show that the old RAF roundels had been blanked out to dark earth. To reproduce this effect, I cut out some old Hasegawa Roundels and taped then down to the surface to serve as masks for where these used to be. The Sky instructions for the camo scheme were non-existent. I found a diagram for the Eagle Cal decal sheet online and used it for a general reference. I rolled up Blue Tac for a slighty soft edge. I know these were hard edged on the real plane, but I just don't like hard edges on my RAF schemes....they look too toy-like to me.
I sprayed XF-81 RAF Dark Green in close at low pressure to avoid over spray. I then added XF-57 Buff to the green and streaked it as well.
I think the port wing needs a bit more green camo in the roundel area. I messed something up here. I must have interpreted the picture wrong (it was dark and of poor quality). Other than that I'm pleased. After a postshade of certain panel lines around the engine and control surfaces, I sprayed it with Alclad Gloss for decals. I went very heavy with several coats in the hope it will help diminish the size of the rivets. I'll let it cure for a few days.
On a side note, I figured I would do a brief tutorial on how I paint props and get the yellow warning tips all the same size. First, I spray the prop XF-2 Flat White then the tips XF-3 Flat yellow mixed with touch of XF-7 Flat red to orange it up a bit. It should look something like this.....
Break out the Tamiya tape and cut a strip to a length that will go from the hub to the bottom of where you want the warning tip color to stop. Once you establish the correct length, cut up more Tamiya tape and tape off the tips (the area to stay yellow). I take a piece (make it wide enough to cover the top), fold it, then slip it over the top until it hits the top of the length of tape. Like these.....
Work your way around. It will look like this once done...
We are now ready to paint it. I use XF-69 NATO Black for my props. Its slightly less stark that flat black and almost has a greenish grey hue to it. Spray light coats until the yellow disappears. Cut it with 91% Isoprophyl so is dries almost on impact. This prevents bleed under.
Here's the finished product. Perfect painted props everytime.
One question though.........whats with the goofy angle (pitch?) of the Trumpeter prop? I've never seen one at such an angle. I was going to fix it but I decided not to mess with it.
Joe