SPA Modeler

Now, with the other colors, things got a bit more complicated and boring with masking et al. the intakes need to be painted black (Tamiya XF-1 Flat Black)



And the anti glare panel which is Tamiya Olive Drab. Painting was done using a black base, then gradually building up the OD to a lighter color.



The end process I think I am quite satisfied. pretty neat would you say? I just need to make sure that it keeps intact (i don't ding/chip it) until the project ends.

Oooo... I like how you did the anti-glare panel using black the black base then the OD. It does make it stand out more realistic.

That is some very nice painting - I really like modulations in the grey and yes I agree, black basing the O/D makes it really stand out.

Maybe I missed it, but which marking scheme did you settle upon?

Monty at his best again! What a tutorial!
Will you do the Italeri F-104, too?

Blacksheep and Portman - yes, first time using black basing in a very small scale. looking at my stash... which could I use for a big 'black basing' project. would love to experiment.

Stik - I chose the Spanish Starfighter. Here are the options I have at the moment. Not a lot, considering I have only the kit's decal and original Lockheed ejection seats to work on.

• 1. First option is to do a F-104G in Italian service. These are initial models in NMF. I dont think the model as a whole can support NMF. a ton of work needs to be done and I dont think I want to invest that much of a time
  2. Second option a Spanish AF version. A nice sample here http://www.916-starfighter.de/Large/Stars/wS733.htm
  3. Third option is a Taiwan AF version. Promising but the livery seems a bit boring, or maybe I am not looking hard enough. sample photo http://www.916-starfighter.de/Large/Stars/wR301.htm

Thomas_M wrote:Monty at his best again! What a tutorial!
Will you do the Italeri F-104, too?

Hi Thomas - for the love of God, i would love too given me getting the kit. I dont think I could afford it buying online, (shipping et al). Though such a shame I didnt look it up at the Aviation Mega Store few weeks ago! Been reading good stuff about it. Light years away compared to the Hasegawa version.

How the Starfighter looks like after a coat of Future (I usually mix my Future 50:50 with water). At this stage, I am quite satisfied with the pain job.

The next obvious step is to prepare the aircraft of the NMF section, which is aft of the aircraft. lots of photos shows early Spanish F-104 having bare metal skin near the exhaust. Aside from that, are the two wing tip fuel tanks.



Its all about masking. The NMF will be Alclad ALC101. this will be the basic colour. paneling will be done using a mix of Alclad and Model Master Steel, Burnt Steel, Tamiya Titanium Silver. the whole area is pre-coated using Tamiya X-1 Gloss Black



One thing I hate about masking for Alclad or other natural finishes is that the surface prep must be utterly perfect. I will soon find out that I will fail through this exercise.



The image above shows you how the first layer of Alclad. Where is the shine? that is exactly the case, there is little shine because I FORGOT to prep up the plastic properly. Firstly, you cannot have a layer of flat paint (Sky Grey in this case) between the glossy plastic surface, gloss black foundation, and the Alclad. the surface must be kept clean and glossy at tall time.

So I thought.. Another layer of Alclad and other metallics will help.. wrong! the shine is still not there even though I have done extra masking for paneling purposes



After the masking has been lifted. I still have the same results… lacklustre shine



Here is another angle of the F-104G with the NMF completed and masking tape removed. what do you think?

Well, I think despite you not having gloss-coated the full are the matt parts give your metallics a nice and vivid appearance! To me, it looks absolutely fine! I would leave it as is.