Chipping Paint
This is the type kit that gives an
airbrush a
work out and is a lot of fun to paint. I faded the paint more than usual because this particular
aircraft was based in the South Pacific.
Approximately 30% flat white was mixed in the blues
painted on to the exterior of the aircraft. I also chipped the paint using a method
I had come across on HyperScale.
In previous attempts I had attempted to achieve a
chipped paint look by dabbing silver paint over previously painted areas using a
stiff bristled brush. The effect of this technique is usually not
realistic — it looks like silver paint dabbed over painted areas with a
stiff bristled brush. I doubt there is a more realistic
way to achieve chipped paint look than to actually chip the paint so
that's what I did.
The technique is actually simple. Metalizer
type paints are first sprayed on the bare plastic in areas that will later have
the paint chipped. Next the aircraft is painted normally
using acrylics. The acrylics do not adhere to the metalizers so it
is simple matter to chip the paint with careful use of a sharp knife.
The only modification I made
to the technique was to chip a little at a time all through the
painting/weathering process so that some chips would be aged more than others.
I am very pleased with the results. I have seen some models that had huge
areas of paint removed. I don't know if that's realistic or not but I
wanted a more subtle look so I took it easy.
The only two additions I made to the kit were seat belts made from surgical
tape and a wiring harness made from a strand of brass speaker wire. The
diameter of the wire is too small for scale and takes a lot of effort to see.
If I had to do it again I would use larger wire here. I would also weather
the underside of the aircraft a bit more — particularly the landing gear doors.
Overall
this was a very enjoyable project and I was sorry when it was finished. I wish the parts in all kits fit together
as well as Tamiya's Corsair. Then I could spend more time doing what I enjoy
(detailing and painting) and less time reworking parts so they fit together.
This model is practically begging to be placed in a vignette setting.
Hopefully at some point I will find the motivation to build a small Pacific island
setting in which to place my Corsair.
I would really love to build a flying example
of this type as well and include a lot of detail. I have yet to see a really
well-done R/C Corsair on a fly by. The closest I have come is photos in
magazines of the Radio Control Scale Masters Tournament.
One day... <sigh>
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