Hi Cliff, I recall those progress photos of your RAAF Spit.  I thought it was expertly done from technical aspect, but refrained from commenting on the colours as I figured it was some alteration resulted from lighting, digital, etc. 

I have read the Aussies would often repaint with Foliage green and a dark sea grey over the standard topside RAF colours that they were delivered in.  

regards,

Jack

Hmmm, cool guys.

Dunno if the shades I used on my Spit were close to correct. The green was awfully light, I think the paints were pre-lightened for scale effect. I figured they would look a little darker after pre-shading but they still look a tad light to me.

I'm just calling it the effect of sun fading...

jgeratic

Yes, I 've seen comments that RGB is not that great for capturing all colours, even though the possibility of combinations runs in the 16.7 million range.  For our purpose I think it helps zero in on a colour to something acceptable at least.

All that really matters is that we are comfortable using RGB values to select a range of paint colours to start mixing for the desired end result.

Harold

Yes, I 've seen comments that RGB is not that great for capturing all colours, even though the possibility of combinations runs in the 16.7 million range.  For our purpose I think it helps zero in on a colour to something acceptable at least.

Of the four paints you've got on order, I think the Dark Black Brown should be of great help.  Just an fyi, the Dark Slate grey is a Fleet Air Arm topside camou.

regards,

Jack

jgeratic

Wow, I'm a bit surprised how that suggested alternate green looks so visually identical.  As for the Illiad chip, online here it looks fine compared to those found in the British Aviation Colours book and the readings done by Nick Millman -his actually looks a tad more brownish.

I tried something digital as I don't have access to that many Vallejo paints.  I made some RGB valu chips from Harold's first post with the spoons.  Results show a 50% warm grey (that was why I suggested brown, but a red would also work) combined with 50% of DK Green from Vallejo 71.324 give the colour value of the Illiad swatch.

 

Alternately, if wanting to add just a 10% paint to 90% of the Vallejo green, then the required additive is a deep bluish purple.

Mixes were done using this online blender:

https://meyerweb.com/eric/tools/color-blend/#000000:626C3C:9:rgbd

 

 

regards,

Jack

 

 

Four of the colours I ordered is Vallejo BS Sea Grey #71.307, Dark Slate Grey #71.308, Flat Brown #71.026 and Dark Black Brown #71.042. The Vallejo Dark Slate Grey #71.308 shown below has a square R=90, G=88, B=84 paint chip superimposed on top of it and as you can see the two are very close in digital appearance.

Harold

Wow, I'm a bit surprised how that suggested alternate green looks so visually identical.  As for the Illiad chip, online here it looks fine compared to those found in the British Aviation Colours book and the readings done by Nick Millman -his actually looks a tad more brownish.

I tried something digital as I don't have access to that many Vallejo paints.  I made some RGB valu chips from Harold's first post with the spoons.  Results show a 50% warm grey (that was why I suggested brown, but a red would also work) combined with 50% of DK Green from Vallejo 71.324 give the colour value of the Illiad swatch.

Alternately, if wanting to add just a 10% paint to 90% of the Vallejo green, then the required additive is a deep bluish purple.

Mixes were done using this online blender:

https://meyerweb.com/eric/tools/color-blend/#000000:626C3C:9:rgbd

regards,

Jack

jgeratic

Hello Harold, that is cool to see those Illiad RAF paint chips compared to Vallejo like that.

From a past discussion, you can try the popularly suggested 70.893  "US Dark Green - FS 34079".   This is the thicker paint for brushing, so will require thinning for the spray gun.   Alternately, you can try mixing the existing bottle you have.  Going by the posted image, I'd suggest some medium grey and a brown.  A few drops of each might be just enough?

 

regards,

Jack

 

 

 

Below is US Dark Green, Vallejo #71.289, air brush version of US Dark Green #70.983. I have hand painted the 70.983 on the same spoon as 71.289 to demonstrate they are the same exact color. However, this green is still a little yellow and to light compared to the colour chip.

Below is a mix of 10 drops each of BS Dark Earth, #71.323, Black, #71.057, Grey Blue #71.005 added to a new bottle of BS Dark Green, Vallejo #71.324. The result is a darker green, but still not a great match in my opinion. I did not have a dark brown or medium grey for mixing, so I ordered them from my supplier.

I also ordered some other colors to see how close they are to the RAF Dark Green colour chip. I will post the results when I have the paint.

Harold

Hello Harold, that is cool to see those Illiad RAF paint chips compared to Vallejo like that.

From a past discussion, you can try the popularly suggested 70.893  "US Dark Green - FS 34079".   This is the thicker paint for brushing, so will require thinning for the spray gun.   Alternately, you can try mixing the existing bottle you have.  Going by the posted image, I'd suggest some medium grey and a brown.  A few drops of each might be just enough?

regards,

Jack

Bish, I have entered the painting phase of my Spitfire and ran into a problem. The Eduard dual combo kit I am working with has parts for two complete aircraft. I can build either a Mk. IIa or Mk. IIb in ten different colour and marking variations. I have chosen to build the P7966 flown by Wing Commander R.S. Bader, Commanding Officer of the Tangmere Wing on March 18th, 1941. This is the Fighter Wing my Uncle Harold was in with other Canadian pilots.

The colour scheme Commander Bader's plane had was a camouflage pattern of dark earth brown and dark green with a sky colour lower surface. I am using Iliad Design aircraft color charts for World War II - Northern Europe and as you can see in the photographs below Vallejo's dark green is way off. The dark earth and sky colours are close enough. Jack Geratic told me there was a problem with the Vallejo dark green 71.324 and I think it's to yellow and to light. Do you have any information regarding other Vallejo colours that might be a closer match?

Harold

BS Dark Green, Vallejo 71.324

BS Dark Earth, Vallejo 71.323

Sky Type S, Vallejo 71.302

lostagain

That is a seriously detailed cockpit there Harold! very fine detail and hard to believe it is 1/72. And a very nice set up there for spraying too. I am closer to Cliff, I do my spraying in the shed which doesn't have power so I have to drag an extension cord out each time I want to do some spraying. I am going to get it hooked up straight after we have finished the garden fo the better half.

The scale of my Spitfire is 1/48, but most of my models are 1/35. The Eduard's model at 1/48 scale has detail as good as any 1/35 scale model I have worked on. I have a friend in Ontario, Canada who recommended Eduard for aircraft models and he really knows what he is talking about.

Harold

Looks good Piers, will cross my fingers for you on that cowling!

That is a seriously detailed cockpit there Harold! very fine detail and hard to believe it is 1/72. And a very nice set up there for spraying too. I am closer to Cliff, I do my spraying in the shed which doesn't have power so I have to drag an extension cord out each time I want to do some spraying. I am going to get it hooked up straight after we have finished the garden fo the better half.

The S-5 does not have the same level of detail, even at 1/48. Mind you the cockpit in the real thing was pretty sparse - photos show no seat!?

Here it is together

ANd then closed up and trying to get the multi part cowl together has been an exercise in patience...

Bish

I have the same respirator. I also paint out in the shed with window open. Can't be safe enough when spraying paint. I do have lung issues but i did smoke for 30 years so i need to do all i can to not make things worse.

 

Harold

I have the same respirator. I also paint out in the shed with window open. Can't be safe enough when spraying paint. I do have lung issues but i did smoke for 30 years so i need to do all i can to not make things worse.

Gamera

That's a really nice spray booth! 

I've probably got black lung from all the spraying I do without an exhaust fan. I spray in the basement and then leave and come back when the fumes have died down. 

 

My wife was an LPN Nurse at the local Veterans Hospital during the Vietnam War, and she is demanding when it comes to my health. The VA confirmed what I suspected that I do have asbestos in my lungs from my work in the Navy, but so far, I have not developed lung cancer, only a mild case of asthma. However, since I am at risk my wife insists that I use the paint booth and a painter's style respirator when I'm spray painting. It is a small inconvenience that I don't mind doing.

Harold

Thanjks for the info harold, some nice ideas there. I have a similar spray booth, but no lights, i did think about a second to extend it but decided i didn't have enough large kits to make it worth while. Though my 72nd Victor and U-Boat could do with it. Mines looking a bit rough now after all the use its had, can't see the plastic for the paint.

That's a really nice spray booth! 

I've probably got black lung from all the spraying I do without an exhaust fan. I spray in the basement and then leave and come back when the fumes have died down. 

Bish

Sorry, harold, i could have sworn i commented on your previous post, i must have hit the wrong button. Thats some paint set up there, you certainly won't be running short.

Lovely work on the pit, there is some nice detail there. What is it stuck to, that looks really handy for getting decent pics.

 

I think what I like best is researching a subject and finding out everything I can about its history.

Bish, I believe we talked about wall shelves, I remember you said that you took a week off from work to reorganize your studio and build shelves because you were running out of space.

The blue stuff my Spitfire cockpit is attached too is 3M Scotch Blue painter's tape #2090. I use it on many things because it has just enough 'stick' without leaving a gummy residue on the surface. I also use 3M Painters Masking Paper to protect my paint booth from overspray as much as I can.

I purchased my first paint booth about three years ago and extended it with a second spray booth a year later. I use it for all kinds of assembly work and painting because the lighting is so much better than my work bench. The inside dimensions are 83.82 cm wide X 38.1 cm deep x 30.8 cm high at the front, so I have room to paint the 1/48 scale Avro Lancaster with the wings detached.

I also started using project boxes to keep work-in-progress organized, clean and safe from breaking delicate subassembly like the Spitfire cockpit. I place a piece of blue painter's tape on cardboard that is bigger than the part, then attach the part to the tape so it cannot move. This way the cardboard can side around in the project box without damage to the part.

I do this mainly because I use the paint booth for multiple projects, and I don't like parts from one project getting mixed in with parts from another project.

lostagain

 

Bish, super work on the Wimpy, you have done well with the finish and another great diorama.

 

TJ, great result there, all your pain is certainly not showing through on the final product. Well done!

 

Gary, the Mk. 1a looks good, like the display idea.

 

Harold, showed the better half your set up, and started a discussion about how I could set up in our hobby room – this could be some long negotiations… The Mk. IIa looks very detailed too – the PE works well.

 

Throwing my hat into the ring now, I have got this offering: 1/48 AMP Supermarine S5. I opened it up, it is a bit better than a shortrun kit, but there are no alignment pins, tabs or keys etc so it will be an interesting one…

 

 

Nice to see this LA, i'll get you on the roster.

Sorry, harold, i could have sworn i commented on your previous post, i must have hit the wrong button. Thats some paint set up there, you certainly won't be running short.

Lovely work on the pit, there is some nice detail there. What is it stuck to, that looks really handy for getting decent pics.

Harold: That's one fine lookin' cockpit! 

Piers: Look the look of those classic racing planes. Looking forward to seeing you work your magic on her! 

The cockpit assembly is completed and ready for primer. The side panels are masking taped together and the instrument panel can be removed for painting.

Harold

G'day mate, the Eduard's Spitfire I'm building is like the one my Uncle flew for the RAF in 1940-41. Eduard models were recommended to me by a friend in Canada, so this is my first one. The detail is a challenge, but Eduard's engineering and instructions simplify the process a bit.

Harold

Gamera

Gary: She looks fantastic! Looking forward to the 'flying' diorama and how you pull this off. 

Harold: Wow that's so neat! If I had something like that I might be able to find stuff! 

 

Harold

Gary: She looks fantastic! Looking forward to the 'flying' diorama and how you pull this off. 

Harold: Wow that's so neat! If I had something like that I might be able to find stuff! 

Bish, I completed the new paint racks I've been working on and continue reorganizing my studio (hobby room) with wall shelves. GameCraft Miniatures

I also received the RAF Colour Charts from Iliad Design in Ottawa, Canada http://www.iliad-design.com  Jack Geratic (jgeratic) told me about. The charts have actual colour chips to mix paint for RAF Northern Europe, Tropical and desert schemes.

So now I can get started in earnest on the cockpit assembly of my Spitfire Mk. II. I did not want to get too far in assembly without the color charts to verify the Vallejo paint I am planning to use.

Harold

New paint racks for Vallejo and Tamiya bottles with drawers for tools and supplies. I also added project boxes to keep larger bottles, supplies and parts organized.

New Iliad Design RAF Colour Charts.

Starting Eduard 1/48 Spitfire Mk. II cockpit assembly. The sides of the cockpit are masking taped together so it can be taken apart for painting. Photograph taken with new iPhone 13 Pro closeup camera lens.

Thats come on nicely gary, like the sound of that base, be interesting to see how you pull it off.

My version of the Airfix Mk. 1a "Aircraft That Shall Not Be Named" is finally nearing completion.  After my disasterous paint mishap, I set it aside for awhile, but have been working on it little by little.  Now I have the decals on, and apart from touch-ups (such as framing, antenna wire, etc.) I am about finished (90% anyway).  The base I will attempt to paint up as a landscape covered in clouds, though I'm not sure how that will turn out, so plans may change.

Gary

I'll add it to the roster JB.