**** DONE: 1/32 F4U-1A 17740 - Allied Manufactured Aircraft

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Thanks!

Here are some pre-chipping photos. I was able to do the two blues freehand but the white had to be masked. It was splattering absolutely everywhere and I have no idea why. I did end up mixing some grey in. Next up is chipping, then I'll do any touchups! The sun definitely washed the colours out in these photos. I couldn't get an angle of the other side as the sprinkler is running and I had to shield the plane...







I always have a hard time getting a good prop, what do you guys suggest?
 
I would think and always have though that the prop would be the flat black. all US WW II birds I've ever done has been in the FB but now that you bring it up? The birds on the show run you can never count on but I see both. (Mine from LSFM Fly in 2005)
 

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Don't get caught out by paint finishes on current restorations or airworthy warbirds. Most owner/operators will try to be as authentic as possible, but the longevity of their precious airframe is more important than some paint details, therefore some, such as prop blades, may employ a more resilient, 'modern' surface coating, often in gloss rather than matt.
In WW2, 'allied' prop blades were mostly matt black, in order to reduce glare from the spinning prop arc ( a possible compromise of the camouflage effect from sun 'glint') and prevent dazzle to the pilot. Also, certainly on 'Jablo' -type wooden props, the 'black' was actually a membrane of a rubber material, to assist with the above and prevent moisture penetration of the wooden blades. This, when new, was semi-matt black, but quickly degenerated to more of a 'tyre colour' , more very dark grey than black.
 
Well, here is the plane immediately before decals. The chipping worked well. I may have gone overboard a bit but the areas I hit got pretty beat up, but overall I'm happy. What I'm also very happy about is that when I went to do some touchups with the intermediate blue, it sprayed nicely enough so I was able to get rid of the sharp line between it and the white.













And a bonus dog picture.

 

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