I don't do cockpits......well.
I had to think this through because the cockpit tubs are semi-covered by a plate so after attaching the important bits yesterday I needed to paint those pieces that would be hard to do after everything is attached. So off I go.
Some things I have learned:
1. Those years in rock bands have not affected my ears but all those years of grabbing electrical microphones has caused twitching and such with my hands.
2. Reading everything I could grab over the years did NOT make my eyes stronger - in fact it made me become another customer for cheapo eyeglasses and magnifying glasses. I'm lucky to even identify the plane I'm working on.
3. Light - good light, strong, natural good light - is very important.
I first painted the whole cockpits in RLM 66 as this was the color almost all references said is the color - contrary to the color pics that my fine friends have posted on here. I'm acounting for the 60 year difference between paints. Then red and white for some knobs, tan for the seats and black for the seatback and certain radio controls. After the RLM 66 and others, I gave it a shot of clear coat then made a wash - diluted 'Smoke' -and liberally brushed that on. When dried I dry-brushed with some 'hellblau' and followed that with 'flat white'. As most of this will be covered by a pan (as you can see on the one) I wasn't too particular and besides, I never was any good with interiors. When all was dried I attached the top pan over the tub.
I'm satisfied for now with the result. My camera I'm still getting used to so the only good shot that came out was this. Tommorrow hopefully I can continue but I'm doing this on top of a bad head cold which doesn't do well when trying to paint tiny bits with a wracking cough!