Hey, folks! Been pretty busy with work and other things, but I have some updates on the Skyray.
I completed the cockpit, and I used the Eduards cockpit detail set. I didn't use the entire things simply because I do not have the skills to fold and attach the tiny bits the require a scanning electron microscope to attach. I'm addressing my limitations!
I didn't spray the cockpit a semi-gloss black. Instead I used a dark gull gray, overall, with Testors Interior Black for the side instrument panels. I then dry brushed with flat white, then did a wash with black oils to pop out details, and tone down any slightly overdone white drybrushing. I then added a few details with red, yellow and silver to make the swtiches and dials pop.
For the ejection seat, I used most of the Eduards details, but I also drilled holes into the ejection seat's launch rails. I painted the launch rails gunmetal gray, and drybrushed silver highlights. The seat was light gray and drybrushed with light grey and Mig's pigments to give it a little wear and tear. I pre-conformed the belts to the seat, then airbrushed olive green, and drybrushed highlights. I scraped off paint around the buckles so they were nice and shiny! I used a different technique to paint the stripes on the overhead ejection handles. I airbrushed the handles insignia yellow, and when the were dry, I cut very skinny strips of Tamiya masking tape. I taped the handles to a piece of paper with the skinny strips evenly spaced. I then drybrushed black on to the exposed areas. Other methods tend to be uneven and sketchy. This way I had perfect contol over how much paint I wanted to apply, and it ensured no leakage underneath the paint.
I then proceeded with the build, put it all together, except the engine exhaust, gear doors, and other assemblies. I added Tamiya putty around the nose area, intakes, leading wing edges, and vertical stabilizer. I sanded with Squadron sticks until I was satisfied with the finish.
Next up: Priming, painting inside the slats Tamiya Flat Red and the exhaust. This is where I am stuck! What color is the inside of the exhaust can? I've been all over the internet, and I 've not had any luck. Suggestions?