Well... They're Italian. Black or dark brown hair would be the logical choice. Lol

a little dry brushing to highlight any texture and it should be good.  :)

I've always liked the camo schemes on these planes. Look forward to this build.

My favorite has always been the Falco, but the Fulgore has always been a close second.

Im also looking forward to seeing it in camo.  :)

Like you Mike I've always liked the Falco, such beautiful lines.

I'm going to change the pilot's jumpsuit to a green and the vest and parachute to tan. That's what I found after some reserch. I really need to stop taking the manufacturer's suggestions on color. 

Looks great, Steve. I really need to add some Italian birds to the stash. Love the 202.

BK

M. Brindos

Well... They're Italian. Black or dark brown hair would be the logical choice

Hmm...being of mostly Italian - actually Sicilian - decent I do not agree with that.  Yes, I have relatives that have black and brown hair.  I also have relatives with red hair (as Sophia Loren does) as well as blonde hair.  So please don't generalize.  I suggest walking the streets of Italy/Sicily and you'll find all hair/eye colors.

Not all Irish have red hair, nor do all Germans have Blonde hair. I do not see this as offensive, nor do I find it a point worth mentioning here. It was not said to illicit an argument and neither was it said to hurt any one's feelings. It was simply one artist's OPINION to another on the subject of painting a model figurine.

I will not say anything further on this subject and I do not require a response to it. I appologize to your sensitivities and wish you well.

M. Brindos

Not all Irish have red hair, nor do all Germans have Blonde hair. I do not see this as offensive, nor do I find it a point worth mentioning here. It was not said to illicit an argument and neither was it said to hurt any one's feelings. It was simply one artist's OPINION to another on the subject of painting a model figurine.

I will not say anything further on this subject and I do not require a response to it. I appologize to your sensitivities and wish you well.

 

And no offense was taken either - just stating my opinion.  We're all good 

Can't wait to see more WIP shots, as I have this kit in my stash.

I was able to get some work done yesterday and painted the green base coat. I will apply dots of Silly Putty and go over this with the sand to get the effect I want.

I worked some on the guys and repainted the flight suit green. The vest and parachute will be tan. I'm having a hard time with the mechanics face. I can't seem to get it to look right. The pilot is looking good to me though...maybe a tad sunburnt but.....well they are in the desert after all.

Steve

Steve, the figures look great. I would try to spray them with flat MM. Then when really dried out I would take a cloth like an old T-shirt and rub the hands and face a bit to buff them up a touch to give them a bit of life over the flat coat.

BK

Humbrol Satin or Matt coats airbrushed on will take care of that. The Satin stuff gives off that reflective sheen only at certain lighting angles, and the Matt coat is dead flat. The best I have used yet. But watch your thinning ratio or it can start doing the foggy whitish coat if not thinned enough.

Thanks Stick and BK, I'll see which one I can get here before going to the internet.

Another technique that works for me is thinning testor's dull coat with 20% laquer thinner. it produces a dead flat finish.

Thanks Jay Jay. If I can't find the paint at our local HT then I'll give that a try. 

I applied the Silly Putty to the 202 for the camo. It made it look like it had the measles. Next will be the underwing grey.

Steve

A pox on your Folgore! 

That was a clever idea for the camo pattern. A bit hard lined, but effective.

i think you're on the right track with your figures. You've got good blocking, but the skin tones look a bit washed out.

I'm betting the camera had a lot to do with that. How are they looking now that you've done more work on them? :)

Fantastic idea on the camo.  Stunning!

Toshi

Mike, two things. The skin tones are a little washed out and you're right about the hard lines. My Badger 105 has never really made very good lines but I'm going to go back and try to soften them some.

About the skin tone, this is where I go wrong with figures. I'll darken the paint some to see if that works.

Try a wash of Burnt Sienna over the skin areas to change the tone. Use oils or enamels, and not acrylics. A little goes a long way.

I added some Burnt Sienna and that added some color. Burnt Sienna and Burnt Umber seem to be the miracle paint.

I softened the camo edges on the 202 and worked on the guys.  I think I'm finished with the guys, i just need to dull them down. 

I have pictures but I can't get my computer to load Crome or Edge and boot up correctly. I can get them to come up and even load a page but they lock up shortly after that. Forget about loading 2 websites at the same time. I'm not sure what to do about this.

I'm posting on my phone for now.

Yes, for figures, the Siennas and Umbers, both raw and burnt, are most useful colors. Especially as washes to create various effects. Top that off with a little dry brushing and smaller scale figures can really come alive.

I second that. My technique is a little more advanced than that (I like to apply tones like makeup lol) but it will serve you well. :)

Just don't forget the eyebrows. Faces tend to look a little wierd without them lol.

A sharpened pencil will work well after a dullcote. 

I can't wait to see the results!

Here are the promised pictures. I have to load them at work since my laptop is still giving me fits and may need to go to the shop.

What would be suggested for the goggle lenses? Silver just does not look right.

Steve

Hey Steve great job there on the fighter and the figures!

You might try a very dark gun metal like metallic for the lenses with a tiny spot of silver near the top to give the impression of sun reflecting off them and see how you like it. 

Suggestion for the goggle lenses, drill them out, paint the area in a color to match the sorrounding area (not the frames), and then put a drop of your favorite clear in there, as you might for an instrument lens.

Ooooo, I like that!!

Most goggles have metal frame for the lens, just do a highlight around the edge before you do the clear.