SPA Modeler

John, You are correct—I am going to use the oils as transparently as possible for the propeller blades, either on top of polished silver or on top of Schwarzgrün or...? There was so much in what you did with those oil effects on your propellers... I would write that I was “healthily obsessed” with how you did that if you pardon the contradiction! The final effects are magnificent, bud. You make me want to avoid “too dark propeller syndrome,” especially at 1/72.

I am parking this collage here which I cut together from an online RLM guide:



This is also a comparison between Gunze 18 / RLM 70 and the same guide. To be fair the guide has a scholarly arrangement of samples made presumably by different published samples of RLM colors.



References for the RLM Guide: Markings and Camouflage Systems of Luftwaffe Aircraft in World War II (1963-1972) by Karl Ries, Jr.; The Modeller's Luftwaffe Painting Guide: A Supplement to Luftwaffe Camouflage & Markings Vols 1, 2 & 3 (1979) by J. R. Smith, G. G. Pentland, and R. P. Lutz; The Official Monogram Painting Guide to German Aircraft 1935-1945 (1980) by Kenneth A. Merrick and Thomas H. Hitchcock; Luftwaffe Color Chart (1998) colors authenticated by Warnecke & Böhm GmbH; Luftwaffe Colours 1935-1945 (2002, rev 2008) by Michael Ullmann; "Day Fighter Camouflage" edited by Michael Ullman, in More Luftwaffe Fighter Aircraft in Profile (2002) by Claes Sundin and Christer Bergstrom; Luftwaffe Camouflage and Markings 1935-1945: Volume One: Pre-War Development, Paint Systems, Composition, Patterns, Applications, Day Fighters (2004) by K. A. Merrick and Jürgen Kiroff; Luftwaffe Camouflage and Markings 1935-1945: Volume Two: Code Systems & Markings, Night Fighters, Ground-Attack, Reconnaissance, Bombers, Maritime, Transports, Trainers (2005) by K. A. Merrick and Jürgen Kiroff.

You may want to try different colors other than green, which would impart a very subtle (maybe too subtle?) effect. I think in this case, size may matter and small, narrow prop blades at 1/72 would be a challenge to weather using the same techniques I'm using at 1/32 scale. I've done it at 1/48 and I can tell you that it's much harder to establish the same order of color variation. I don't think I would personally attempt the salt fading technique on such small props. Maybe using a fine sponge?

jkim wrote:You may want to try different colors other than green, which would impart a very subtle (maybe too subtle?) effect. I think in this case, size may matter and small, narrow prop blades at 1/72 would be a challenge to weather using the same techniques I'm using at 1/32 scale. I've done it at 1/48 and I can tell you that it's much harder to establish the same order of color variation. I don't think I would personally attempt the salt fading technique on such small props. Maybe using a fine sponge?

Thanks so much, John! When you have a moment let me know what you think of Chris Wauchop’s work on 1/72 blades. Is that a Tamiya RLM mix? I would have to lighten the Gunze 18 or find an alternate color. I have a few RAF and IJN dark greens I was going to try as well. Each prop blade will be a different color....

https://chriswauchop.com/page/3/


An “RAF as RLM” Alternate


Ditto “IJN as RLM”

Engine Brace - Top: my scale drawing, Bottom: Airfix 1/72 instructional diagram

speedgraflex wrote:Engine Brace - Top: my scale drawing, Bottom: Airfix 1/72 instructional diagram

I am enamored with this.

speedgraflex wrote:Thanks, Ken. I have to mount the tracing paper and cut some styrene rod and glue some of the same styrene rod together. I am kind of looking for music to accompany this task... perhaps something calm and soothing and warm. L.A. was warmer today, just a touch. Just enough to make a difference.

I’m glad for that. I did time in the gray, cold, icy North and I know how badly that stifles creativity. I recommend A Place To Bury Strangers, for music tonight. Along with some Siouxsie And The Banshees, and you’ll be good to go!

speedgraflex wrote:Thanks, Ken. I have to mount the tracing paper and cut some styrene rod and glue some of the same styrene rod together. I am kind of looking for music to accompany this task... perhaps something calm and soothing and warm. L.A. was warmer today, just a touch. Just enough to make a difference.

I’m glad for that. I did time in the gray, cold, icy North and I know how badly that stifles creativity. I recommend A Place To Bury Strangers, for music tonight. Along with some Siouxsie And The Banshees, and you’ll be good to go!

speedgraflex wrote:Thanks, Ken. I have to mount the tracing paper and cut some styrene rod and glue some of the same styrene rod together. I am kind of looking for music to accompany this task... perhaps something calm and soothing and warm. L.A. was warmer today, just a touch. Just enough to make a difference.

I’ve really been enjoying some 80’s synthesizer movie soundtracks... perfect stuff for working to. Escape From New York, The Thing, Risky Business...