The tale of three P-38 Lightnings...Matchbox, Monogram and Academy.

JR

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Looking good R
 

rtfoe

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Thanks John and Scottie...the fun part is deciding which panel to mask. :smiling6:

Cheers,
Richard
 

rtfoe

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Hi,

I mixed up some light tan sludge for the panel wash. Because of the dark base I did a reverse having the panel lines lighter instead of being dark.

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The effect looked similar to dust gathered from the many dirt airfields in the Pacific islands or even forward bases in the ETO.

530193.jpg

Cheers,
Richard
 

Jim R

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Hi Richard
As always superb modelling. So many tips and ideas from your work.
Jim
 

rtfoe

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Thanks Fellas, thought it might work as an experiment.

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Richard
 

rtfoe

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More Lightning continued...
After the water color light tan wash I applied a coat of varnish for protection. This darkened the colors. Here you can see that the blu-tac has done its job of a semi hard line between the grey and olive drab. Also you will see the difference of the front landing gear of the Lightnings. The oleo arm on this is in the forward position while the other is behind.

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The varnish will help with decaling but it surprised me how dark it changed the color.

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The interior of the landing gear doors also was dirtied with a dark wash over the zinc chromate.

532248.jpg

Cheers,
Richard
 

scottie3158

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Richard,
Nice work. It is surprising how a clear medium can vary the colour.
 

rtfoe

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Hi Scottie, surprised me too even if I knew that clear coats can darken the base color slightly.

Cheers,
Richard
 
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Can't go wrong with a P-38 for me. Looks good so far Richard!

Cheers
 

Steven000

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Hi Richard, looks very nice :thumb2:

Yes a clear coat will darken the base color, basically what's happening is that the clear coat is shinny and will reflect a part of the light illuminating your model, the reflected light bounces off and doesn't get to the base color, and because of that, this part of the light rays doesn't lighten the base. (It's a bit more complicated then that but easier to understand)
 

rtfoe

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Thanks Wouter and Steven...yes the basics of science and light refraction. Amazing how light reacts to certain material and surfaces causing the effects we see and not the reaction of the paints as one would percieve. The play of light is used in modulation or forced highlights much in the same way without the use of varnishes I think. :smiling4:

Cheers,
Richard
 

rtfoe

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Oh dear...just realised I suddenly stopped this post and left it hanging. Ah...yes now I remember why, my sister had come up from Sydney for a visit for a whole month and I played host and toured the country scouring favorite eating spots as Asians do.:smiling2:

So I'll continue where I left off if you guys are still interested. Will get on to my laptop tonight as all my piccies are jn there.

Cheers,
Richard
 

rtfoe

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Decals went on with the usual decal softener reacting to the Future varnish but usually vanishes with another coat of Future applied.

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The 87 had only a slight tinge of the smoky white on the right side of the 7.

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The petrol cap markings also had these whitish marks but you'll see in later images they're gone with the second application of Future and then matt varnish.

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I carefully painted white glue to mask the turbo boosters to apply some light grey stains that are created by the heat and exhaust.

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Cheers,
Richard
 

rtfoe

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The matt varnish has brought back the color about halfway and the white spots have disappeared but some have appeared because I didn't wipe my sweat stains away properly so it's not a weathered effect. Some glue has crept under the canopy, nothing I can do about it but to next time be skin-flint with the amount of glue applied.

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close ups can really show up all the blemishes and dust.

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From this distance the dust and blemishes aren't noticeable.

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Cheers,
Richard
 

rtfoe

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Thanks Scottie, actually my main peeve is my sweaty palms and I don't like wearing gloves to handle when building.

Cheers,
Richard
 

rtfoe

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Hi, back again with a sudden loss of concentration and forgot I still have to finish this...

In short range sorties the hard point for fuel tanks was substituted for iron bombs.

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I sanded the tyres to get the weighty look.

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The extra nose weight paid off and she sits right.

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Will be adding chipping to the upper surfaces...

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Cheers,
Richard
 

rtfoe

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Here are more with the chipping added...

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Just a bit on the upper wing and leading edges. The left window is shown wound down.

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Cheers,
Richard
 
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