SPA Modeler

Another small step; I feel better about that wing root now.





A shot of the port side:



overhead so far, I'm not sure how I managed to get both flaps too light. Might be revisiting those:



head on:



I wanted to paint the white areas tonight but may not make that now. Our daughter-in-law is receiving her PhD. tomorrow up in Commerce, Texas and we'll be out of pocket for a few days.

Okay, canvassing some opinions here; should the flaps (and the other control surfaces) be a lighter color than the wings and stabilizer? In the fourth pic of the group above, both flaps have turned out a lighter color; but in the photos of the wrecked bird, the control surfaces don't appear to be appreciably lighter. I guess if the flaps were left as they are now, then the ailerons and elevators might need some lightening up? What do you say?

Gary Brantley wrote: ↑Thu Dec 14, 2023 8:55 pm

Holy Malony Gary,

what a wonderfully wonderful paintwork there!

- Kari

KSaarni wrote: ↑Sat Dec 16, 2023 2:25 am

Gary Brantley wrote: ↑Thu Dec 14, 2023 8:55 pm

Holy Malony Gary,

what a wonderfully wonderful paintwork there!

- Kari

Thank you, Kari! I feel pretty good about it so far. I have to credit my new airbrush for any improvements. I can use it in ways that were just too difficult with the Paasche H. I've got some "post shading" I'd like at attempt with some pastel chalks and other techniques, but I'm slowly getting there...I think.

So, how about those control surfaces? Make 'em lighter or leave 'em alone?

That is a great piece of work. Wow.

LyleW wrote: ↑Sat Dec 16, 2023 8:21 am That is a great piece of work. Wow.

Thanks, Lyle! So far, so good. Whatya think 'bout those flaps? Leave 'em or make them darker?

Gary Brantley wrote: ↑Sat Dec 16, 2023 7:12 am Thank you, Kari!
So, how about those control surfaces? Make 'em lighter or leave 'em alone?

I would leave them as they are now, yes I would

- Kari

KSaarni wrote: ↑Sun Dec 17, 2023 4:19 pm

Gary Brantley wrote: ↑Sat Dec 16, 2023 7:12 am Thank you, Kari!
So, how about those control surfaces? Make 'em lighter or leave 'em alone?

I would leave them as they are now, yes I would

- Kari

Okay, that's a vote for leaving them as is! I keep looking at those crash scene photos and don't see a big difference between the color of the flaps, elevators, etc. and the rest of the wing or stabilizer. I do think that port flap is too light though. I will be in Austin, Texas tomorrow and will stop by Kings Hobby. I want to buy some more RLM 79 of some sort as my "new" tin of Humbrol enamel was no good from the first opening, with a big chunk of hardened paint on the bottom. Perhaps they'll open a tin of Humbrol and we can check if it's good or bad. I admit to being disappointed by some of their more recent products. I understand that European safety regulations forbade the use of a certain chemical that seemed to prevent "paint skinning". Supposedly, their chemists have perfected a new formula for their enamels. We'll see; their enamels have been among my very favorites!

Just a brief update; the white and yellow sections are painted and I did wind up at Kings Hobby shop in Austin where I bought three different brands of RLM 79. I picked up Mr. Color, Vallejo and new tin of Humbrol that I opened and stirred at the counter to be sure it had no dried bottom paint. All seemed okay. I have some touchups in the 79 along with some scratches on the bottom paint to spray over. And I've noticed a few places where I seem to have sprayed over some small grit. I'll sand those down before paint flies again!

As she stands now:

Man that looks great Gary!