SPA Modeler

John, one thing I miss with the fuselage belly and underwings are the numerous heavy streaks and paint patches. I found a cache of VF-214 portraits done in the George Hurwell style of photography by the photographer and I thought I would at least include this frame. You probably have this in your research but I definitely intend to include these details: uneven repaint, repairs and fixes, and overall grime. There is a substantial amount of oil staining here. Is there a way for you to test this on your painting mules? Didn’t you use a Schwalbe engine cowling for a mule? I am pretty sure you did. I would use the Mig engine oil and suspend that in a heavier layer of grime. Thoughts? I never think it’s too late to add oil effects...

Thanks for that interesting shot, Bruce! Beyond the obvious repair marks, I'm actually surprised at how clean the bottom of the wing is. I see some streaking and discoloration but not much that would indicate fluid leaks. At least not to my eye. And look at how clean the landing gear door is!

The replication of specific stains and repair marks is a tricky business. By their nature, they have to be very specifically executed and I don't know if I want to go that route with this build. For example, this photo of 740 shows a very specific light discoloration on the fuselage directly aft of the cowl flaps.


Do I try to replicate that? I could but I think it would look strange if that is the only such "scar" I represent. So do I speculate and attempt other types of specific wear/repair around the model without photo verification? I dunno... it's just a bit too arbitrary for me. And I may lack the conviction and modeling chops to pull it off convincingly.

I am the first to admit that my models are not the most realistically weathered. Not by a long shot. But in the continuum of modelers that span the range from squeaky clean to heavily weathered, I probably apply more weathering than average. I like to show wear and tear but only with the methods that I feel comfortable with at the moment.

Having said that, this is the first build in which I played with liquid enamel effects such as MiG Engine Oil types. In the confines of the landing gear and in very small areas, I found a comfort level using this type of effect for the first time.


Definitely room for growth and I welcome your always challenging discussion.

Is there really a "stark contrast" between the cockpit and the rest of the aircraft? If so, it will remain. I'm not going to add weathering to the cockpit and am not planning on removing weathering from the exterior. The choices I made as they relate to the cockpit were locked into place when the fuselage was buttoned up. So I'm not sure what the comment was supposed to imply except to say that my approach to the cockpit was wrong or somehow inappropriate.

jkim wrote:

That is incredible work!! Wow! Just right amount of weathering on those landing gears. Not too little, not too much. Just perfect!!!!!

John you are incredible

Thanks guys! Still futzing around with minor details before attaching the aerials. I know that once I do that, I'll be really restricted in what I can work on. Yes, it's almost finished but I keep thinking... is there more? Did I forget something? Here's the parachute that I painted up way back when, mounted on the wing.

It's these last little bits that used to leave me at the bench sometimes staring into space wondering what to do first. I had to start making lists so I could prioritize and make some sort of "order of battle" to get things finished up in a timely and organized manner. Your progress is looking good.