Saab J29 Tunnan, Austrian Airforce, Matchbox, 1/72

[KSaarni]

Very nice Saab Barrel & really interesting too see the step-by-step painting process

- Kari

[LyleW]

Well .done!

[Floki]

Great looking build and interesting approach for NMF

[Stikpusher]

Marius, thank you for the step by step explanation of your method on the finish for this project. It’s kind of ironic that the “simplest” of aircraft finishes, bare metal, requires as much effort as the most elaborate camouflage or decorative paint scheme in order to look realistic. Unless one is doing the mid 60’s USAF or immediate post WWII RAF schemes, when each of those air arms went to aluminum/silver lacquer finishes.

[jeaton01]

Very nice finish on both models.

[Medicman71]

Man they're both awesome builds!!

[Bolleken]

Marius, thank you for the step by step explanation of your method on the finish for this project. It’s kind of ironic that the “simplest” of aircraft finishes, bare metal, requires as much effort as the most elaborate camouflage or decorative paint scheme in order to look realistic. Unless one is doing the mid 60’s USAF or immediate post WWII RAF schemes, when each of those air arms went to aluminum/silver lacquer finishes.

So true. Guess the secret is in everyone's mind. No color can really appear as a metal, in your mind. A camouflage is a color, so a color can simulate it.

Additionally most good looking metal colors are sensitive and tricky. Others look really good at first. Like Alclad, but after a while I think it looks not like metal, only like Alclad. Really difficult.

[Bolleken]

Thank you all for your kind words. If my step by step description is useful to anyone I would be really happy.

BTW if anyone of you is going to go to KMC Scaleworld on Sunday in Mol you can see the Tunnan in reality.

[KSaarni]

Thank you all for your kind words. If my step by step description is useful to anyone I would be really happy.

BTW if anyone of you is going to go to KMC Scaleworld on Sunday in Mol you can see the Tunnan in reality.

Oh Marius, would have been fantastic to meet in Mol the coming Sunday, but I’m not home in Belgium currently, but on vacation in Finland. You will not come to Plastic & Steel in Affligem in few weeks time? The IPMS Belgium National convention of this year

- Kari

[speedgraflex]

Marius!

I love that you build from Matchbox kits. I remember wanting to build one so badly, staring at the rows of boxes lined up inside the hobby store! I was a wee lad obsessed with the way the aircraft box art was so adeptly handled. But enough about me, because who cares about a remembrance? I am here to sing praises, if you can handle my Old English. Your work is masterful.

One of the hardest issues we face is deciding what is the focus of our scale work: here your attention to finish details is the focus. I’m always amazed by your abilities within construction and scratchbuilding, but here it is the play of light off surface that is most impressive of all. When done properly, as it is here, the aircraft is not a shiny object but an assemblage of metal pieces. In a way, since I am thinking of Beowulf, of the bright armor worn by the Danes.

The specificity of the colors attenuates the design and the decade. Additionally there is a properly judged amount of wear and tear, not too much, nay, just enough to show the object is man made and serviced well.

As I see this side by side with another I think of the oft-told fairy tale of a sleeping army of knights within a mountain, ready to come to the aid of those in need.

I too would like to read a step by step guide to creating this finish!

Bravo, amigo!