Skypirate's Hideaway

[JamesPerrin]

People dismiss enamels nowadays but I find they airbrush a lot easier than many a acrylic.

[Stamford]

Looking forward to seeing that canopy unveiled !

[ShaunW]

The Avenger is progressing very nicely, David. I have one or two Xtracolour paints left and find they airbrush nicely but they do require an undercoat of some kind - I usually use something like Tamiya neutral grey. I would agree with James, enamels generally airbrush very nicely but many complain about the smell - I think that depends a large amount on the thinners used, I use cheap white spirit and have done for donkey's years, but it does have a strong and distinctive odour. I have never actually tried a proprietary thinner for enamels, which might reduce the smell, unlike the alcohol based acrylics that I favour nowadays from Tamiya and Mr Hobby for which I use Tamiya X-20A.

[Impisi]

Tha Fiat looks good

[skypirate]

Thanks for your interest, guys.
Airfix Grumman Avenger Major painting completed.



At this stage, the 2 blues, even though as specified, do not look right to me. (I have in mind Roy Cross' original box top that does look right to me). The gloss sea blue has been lightly rubbed down with micromesh, and very minor weathering applied. I might rough it up some more.

It is now on its wheels.
Next challenge in view - cut out the 3 different canopy sections to fit the kit.

Cheers,

David

[TeeELL]

Why now, I think I recognise the canopy! ;)

[Ratch]

I think the colours look good

[jssel]

Great painting on the airframe particularly the canopy.

[Lone Modeller]

That Avenger does look good - perhaps the dark blue is a little too dark? Or just factory fresh!

[Softscience]

Wowie! Your avenger looks so good!

What is your technique for cutting and fitting the vac canopy?

[skypirate]

Thanks, all!

Why now, I think I recognise the canopy! ;)

So you should! Thanks, Tony, and thanks Paul Bradley for the original!

What is your technique for cutting and fitting the vac canopy?

Cross your fingers, close your eyes, and hold your breath!
Seriously, for this complex moulding, only a brand new scalpel blade will do for gingerly scoring along the desired separation.
Sometimes I can get away with using a small pair of sharp scissors along straight lines, but a scalpel will at least finish the job.
Holding your breath is usually useful, too
Not to mention a spare canopy

As for the paint job - looking back at reference pictures, I can see that the demarcation between sea blue and intermediate blue is too tight. My sausage was too small! (boasted no one ). I will try to remedy this with freehand airbrushing.
I am running out of fingers to cross!

Thanks for looking,

David

[skypirate]

Here we go again!



David

[Narayan]

Nice Avenger, I like those colours.

_________________
Narayan

Anyone who spends a significant amount of time with me finds me disagreeable.

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[skypirate]

Thank you, Narayan!
Intensive effort on the Airfix 1/72 Avenger over the last couple of days. I have sweated and slaved away in my garage without the benefit of air conditioning that conked out when we got home last week.
Firstly, freehand airbrushing fixed the too-tight colour demarcation; much more acceptable, IMHO.



To address the seemingly too-dark sea blue, the test mule on the left shows a diluted enamel white filter airbrushed over the sea blue to lighten (or fade) it. Original shade on the right. I am encouraged, and will thin the filter further for the model.



And following an airbrushed coat of Tamiya clear gloss acrylic, the decals are on!
These are aftermarket decals - I cannot remember which brand. They work very well, but the sizing is wrong. The supplied wing stars-and-bars went on the fuselage and were replaced from my spares. The fin lightning bolts were reduced from 4 zig-zags to 3.



I also found that Xtracolour enamels applied over Tamiya fine white primer were easily lifted off the wing training edges through handling. Repairs have been made. I have learned to prime before acrylics, but only used acrylics on the undersurfaces.

Getting there! (That bloody canopy is still lying in wait )

David

[B4en]

Nice soft edge you've achieved with the freehand work David.

I also found that Xtracolour enamels applied over Tamiya fine white primer were easily lifted off the wing training edges through handling.

I always end up having to touch up wing edges and a few other bits at the end of an aircraft build. Dry paint of all types seems to prefer my fingers to plastic!