SPA Modeler

Thanks Bruce.
Yeah, it is a very simple solution but it works. The template was a two layer PE-IP dir Revell's 1:32 scaled He 162. So I made Two layers matching in PowerPoint. Then I printed onto a basic office paper (laserprinting). Quick 'n dirty.

The camouflage on my Butcher is freehand. But now the wing-fuselage section needs a masking.

On Friday we will go to Salzburg to stay for a night. Then we are travelling to Croatia. One week stay then Italy for one week at Gardalake.

Bolleken wrote:Thanks Bruce.
Yeah, it is a very simple solution but it works. The template was a two layer PE-IP dir Revell's 1:32 scaled He 162. So I made Two layers matching in PowerPoint. Then I printed onto a basic office paper (laserprinting). Quick 'n dirty.

The camouflage on my Butcher is freehand. But now the wing-fuselage section needs a masking.

On Friday we will go to Salzburg to stay for a night. Then we are travelling to Croatia. One week stay then Italy for one week at Gardalake.

Yes! It works! I am going to use the print-to-photopaper option to replace the Horten's IP which has been lost through so many iterations. I really appreciate the way you push the Matchbox kits to become unique variations! It's refreshing. Different. And we need to be different, I think. The same approach to the model is not going to be good enough, ultimately... but what do I know, truly? I know nothing just like Jon Snow.... I have never been to Lake Garda, but I would very much like to go there and soon.

1/72 is known as "builders scale," right? Correct me if I am wrong, but the meaning I find is that the smaller the scale the greater insight into the form of the actual piece being modeled. My father, who modeled narrow gauge trains used to say "Gloss paint has scale," which is why we prefer a dead flat finish, I believe? Again, do I know anything at all? There is something quite good about 1/72. I am glad to have started here with 1/72!

Well, 1:72 is my scale, because…

…I always built in that scale

…usually the kits are cheaper than larger scaled ones

…finished kits do not require so much space

…I am able to cover and hide all my mistakes with a satisfying overall finish.

The IP solution should work on your Horten. I am looking forward to see your result. Next step for the Ta 183 is to scratch an ejection seat and some radio stuff, also a bullet-proof glass behind the seat. Camouflage for this will go into What-if-direction. Imagine a battle of Britain 2. The new German jet-fighters are based closed to the northern French beaches. The camouflage will be on topside: RLM 89 (darker than RLM 81), RLM 90 light beige. Archetype for the scheme is the scarce swallowtail butterfly.

I can really recommend Italy and Lake Garda. Always nice weather, friendly people, beautiful landscapes, a lot of history, fantastic cars. I really love USA and Canada as well, but to find beautiful places, you don’t need to around the world when you live in Europe, you’ll find them “next door”. “Sometimes there is so much beauty in the world…”

Thanks again, Bruce, that you like my Matchbox-kits and how I build them. I just want to proof, that old kits can still look good. And when you build them, it reminds you of your childhood with all those good memories…

That one looks cool. But I will go with an adaptation of that one here.

RLM 89



RLM 90

Good start Bruce. But RLM 89 too light, RLM 90 too yellow...
Here is a sketch for a scratch ejection seat.

Now that sketch is inspiring! Great job!!!



Are you going to use the grey-blue background color swatch as the basis for color? I dig the notion of updating these RLM colors from an organic form! Color theory is so important. If this is an evolution of the Luftwaffe from piston to turbine, the butterfly also makes sense.

Well Bruce, it was so nice that you spent your time for a color research for my model. Once I am ready for painting, I'll take a look onto the original butterfly and try. With a small experience in color and trim as industrial-designer I should find some matching colors.

Let's see...