Camouflage painting help!!!!

[phikoleoputra]

Hi guys, newbie here and i'm currently doing the 1/72 Hasegawa A-10 "103rd Fighter Wing". The model needs the camo paint and i never done this before, any tips or techniques are greatly appreciated. Thanks

Phiko

 

[tecdes]

Phiko

Put in camouflage painting in the search on this page above & you will get a great deal of info there.

Come back for more info.

Laurie

 

[Stevekir]

Here are some recent threads that might help:

http://www.scale-models.co.uk/threads/another-question-guys.19700/

http://www.scale-models.co.uk/threads/single-or-double-action.18296/

http://www.scale-models.co.uk/threads/getting-started-with-an-ab-the-plan-so-far.19768/

http://www.scale-models.co.uk/threads/thinning-acriylics.18061/

http://www.scale-models.co.uk/threads/help-please.19513/

http://www.scale-models.co.uk/threads/needle-removal-from-front-or-back.18728/

You need to decide between lacquer or acrylic paint. Traditional Humbrol paint in those little tinlets has a volatile solvent and requires White Spirit or similar to clean brushes, while acrylic paints are water-based. Most modellers paint a primer on the model before painting colours. Many modellers use a brush, and many use an airbrush instead which requires practice. Keep reading the threads on this forum and ask specific questions. We are here to help.

 

[Airfix Modeller Freak]

can you post an image in of what the camo scheme is meant to be?

 

[AlasdairGF]

I'm guessing this one?

View attachment 69155


Not much camo there though...! The original Hasegawa kit did have camo:

View attachment 69154


Nice summary of the development of this model at http://www.scalemates.com/products/product.php?id=192259

 

[phikoleoputra]

Thanks a lot guys for the help, i know i'll be struggling with the masking. Well that's the beauty of scale modelling i guess.

 

[phikoleoputra]

By the way, i'll be using the tamiya spray can since i'm a newbie and do not have an airbrush. So i guess it's a lacquer

 

[stona]

Are you attempting the second scheme above?

Steve

 

[phikoleoputra]

The first one,i know it's kinda look the same color, but according to the paint it's a 2 different colors. I searched the web and people used adobe photoshop to scan the manual the print it to the actual model size, guess what i spent 2 hours with photoshop and no luck at all. Frustrated arghhh.

 

[Stevekir]

...........I searched the web and people used adobe photoshop to scan the manual the print it to the actual model size, guess what i spent 2 hours with photoshop and no luck at all. Frustrated arghhh.

I use that method. I scan in Photoshop just the part of the model that I want (one wing, fuselage etc.) so that it comes out quite large. Then, in Photoshop's Print dialogue box (see below) I enlarge the image to about the correct size (guesswork) by dragging the handles (one shown arrowed). Then I print it, measure the size of the image (e.g., from wing tip to the root where it joins the fuselage) and compare that with the corresponding size in the actual model. I go back to Photoshop's Print Dialogue box again and drag the handle in or out. (Put your fingernail or a mark on the screen to record where the edge of the image was because as you drag the handle the image jumps about a bit.) Print again and repeat until the printout matches the model in lengthwise. Make several prints to save the bother of going through this again.

View attachment 69166


I then cut through the part of the printout to be masked on to Tamya tape to produce an accurate mask.

See:

http://www.scale-models.co.uk/threads/masking.18719/

For a simpler method than Method 3, see my post at:

http://www.scale-models.co.uk/threads/white-tac-masking-erm-help.19821/#post-174465

 

[phikoleoputra]

Thanks a lot Steve

 

[phikoleoputra]

Just realized that the panel line is raised, not like the f-16 tamiya i built few weeks back, any idea how to do the wash??? Sorry for the newbie question. Thanks

 

[Stevekir]

You could use the various makes of (liquid) washes from the suppliers (Vallejo for in stance I think) in accordance with their instructions (basically by brushing on to a gloss varnished surface, wait until dry, then (if water based) wipe off as much as you want). But I have never done a model with raised panel lines so I don't know what the effect might be. Others on this forum could help with that.

Don't use a black wash. It is too dark and artificial. A dark grey is best. And don't overdo it unless you want a really filthy model. It would probably be best to give a coat of varnish (usually matt) to protect the model when handled.

 

[phikoleoputra]

Thanks steve, i read in the web that some people use pencil?? Is this done after i paint regularly then gloss it or before? Any input?

 

[Ian M]

There is a measuring tool on Photoshop. You can drag lines out from the edge of the workspace and they are constant.

Scan the part in, adjust the rulers to the correct length then adjust the picture to fit...

I'll try post a picture in a while that shows what I mean.

Ian M

 

[Stevekir]

Thanks steve, i read in the web that some people use pencil?? Is this done after i paint regularly then gloss it or before? Any input?

I have never used pencil, but I guess that it would not show on the gloss varnish that is normally applied before adding decals (too shiny). So it would probably need to be applied after the colour coats are added and therefore before that gloss varnish, or right at the end after the final matt varnish is applied.