Aaron Brooks Wolters
Brigadier General
Excellent work Marglar.
DONE: 1/48 Revell P-61 Black Widow of Maj. Carrol C. "Snuffy" Smith Group Build
- Thread starter Maglar
- Start date
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Airframes
Benevolens Magister
OK Mag, checked it out. The early versions were in matt black, but this soon changed to gloss back, due to the better 'concealment value' offered by a gloss finish. This is also in line with WW2 RAF trials of black paints for night bombers, which started off as a 'sooty' black, to matt black, to a semi-matt finish. The gloss finish had a better absorption effect than matt, making the aircraft less prone to detection, particularly in searhlight beams.
I wouldn't always trust box art!
Note that although it was a gloss finish, this soon dulled down, and wasn't, in service anyway, a highly polished gloss. Also, the P61 showed flaking of the paint along panel joins. Whether this was true of the example being modelled, can only be ascertained by photographic evidence of course.
Hope this helps mate.
I wouldn't always trust box art!
Note that although it was a gloss finish, this soon dulled down, and wasn't, in service anyway, a highly polished gloss. Also, the P61 showed flaking of the paint along panel joins. Whether this was true of the example being modelled, can only be ascertained by photographic evidence of course.
Hope this helps mate.
- Thread starter
- #43
Ok, Gloss it is! Luckily I have the Alclad gloss black which is very nice quality, I will just need to know when to stop spraying because black on black is tough to know if an areas covered.
I joined the fuselages and had some gaps and such. I used my "gap filler" cyanoacrylate glue along these areas then used my #11 blade to scrape the dry glue off then I sanded the area to a fine finish. All seam lines have a smooth finish so I am confident the gaps are filled but will do a spray test. I also need to use my micro-gloss to get rid of sanding scratches as gloss shows off errors as NMF's. Pics tonight hopefully, off to chores and homework.
Thanks all, its really motivating me to have more interest in this build!
I joined the fuselages and had some gaps and such. I used my "gap filler" cyanoacrylate glue along these areas then used my #11 blade to scrape the dry glue off then I sanded the area to a fine finish. All seam lines have a smooth finish so I am confident the gaps are filled but will do a spray test. I also need to use my micro-gloss to get rid of sanding scratches as gloss shows off errors as NMF's. Pics tonight hopefully, off to chores and homework.
Thanks all, its really motivating me to have more interest in this build!
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Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Gloss black can be a pain to spray, onto any coloured background! Ask anyone who sprays cars for a living!
You could spray it matt black, which is more forgiving, then gloss coat it. Whichever route you decide upon, it's a good idea to give it a thin primer coat of mid grey first (60% to 75% grey). This will not only help you see where you're spraying, but it'll also help give an even finish. And of course, ensure you stir the black well before use - black paints, of any finish, are a sod for holding back on the pigment, and this must be thoroughly mixed into the carrier, otherwise, the finish could be patchy, and could remain 'sticky' for days - at least!
You could spray it matt black, which is more forgiving, then gloss coat it. Whichever route you decide upon, it's a good idea to give it a thin primer coat of mid grey first (60% to 75% grey). This will not only help you see where you're spraying, but it'll also help give an even finish. And of course, ensure you stir the black well before use - black paints, of any finish, are a sod for holding back on the pigment, and this must be thoroughly mixed into the carrier, otherwise, the finish could be patchy, and could remain 'sticky' for days - at least!
- Thread starter
- #45
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Sounds good to me. I can't remember which markings are on your bird, but if you let me know, I'll see if I can find some pics of the real one.
- Thread starter
- #47
Ok, here are my pics for the night. I went ahead and sprayed the whole fuselage black [no primer], and yes Airframes it did patch. So I tried a light pressure mist with a few coats and it looks pretty uniform. Along the seam there are some "chips" and I will most likely fix them as I want no seam! The micro-gloss covered my chaotic sanding quite well..
Attachments
Njaco
The Pop-Tart Whisperer
Man, that looks clean!! Cool job so far!
109ROAMING
2nd Lieutenant
Doing good!
Catch22
Major
Wow, Chris is right. Nice and clean! Great job!
- Thread starter
- #51
Catch22
Major
Haha, oh I know, but personally I meant the seam in the middle.
ccheese
Member In Perpetuity
The detail is fabulous !. Good luck with this build, it should prove interesting.
Charles
Charles
Messy1
Master Sergeant
I have that same model sitting at home waiting for me to start on it Maglar. I did one yeas ago when I was still in Jr. High. I thought it turned out good for my experience level. Kept it on the desk in my room, until a aunt who was living with us at the time moved it off of the desk to use my typewriter, and somehow it got sat on! Was not happy. I plan on doing my new kit again when time and space permit.
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Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Neat work Mag, well done. Those minor seams will fill with a bit of varnish, and should be OK when glossed. Looking forward to the next bit, and you've got me wanting to do a P61 now!
- Thread starter
- #56
Messy1
Master Sergeant
Thanks guys! The black is a pain as it has to be sprayed correctly or else it patches. Never knew I could inspire you Terry, miracles do happen!
You guys have me worried about using black now as I only have aerosol cans available to me to paint my P-61. Any tips for a great looking finish?
- Thread starter
- #58
No worries mate. Personally I would say an aerosol can will be nice as I once used one for black parts before I had an airbrush. You should do fine with it just be consistent with your sprays and coats. Make sure to put something over the plane so the dust and crud doesnt get on it, as black shows everything.. if you look at the pics you can probably see some dust as it collects easily in my room!
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
The room collects easily in my dust! Boy, is my place dusty; I can clean up, and within a day or two, there's more dust! It's a sod when I come to paint anything.
Great job Maglar
