realworkingsailor
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Nice! Another version I’ve seen involves painting the standard desert camo, then over spraying with a thin coat of EDSG. Done well, the underlying camo comes through as a two-tone blue. Andy -
I will nit-pick the year, Beurling was in Malta in 1942 (June through October). 😉 I’ve seen a few striking interpretations of the Malta Spits where the “Mid Stone” of the standard RAF tropical camouflage scheme was replaced with EDSG: https://allspitfirepilots.org/aircraft/BR323 Andy
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Yeah, after the siege was lifted, they all seem to have reverted to standard camo, but I’m more curious about the by-necessity free for all that happened during the siege. Records are sketchy, from what I’ve found, the Spitfire squadrons were, at some point, able to scrounge a bucket or two of extra dark sea grey from a Beaufighter squadron. But there’s no visual record on how it was applied (other than memories and recollections that it had to be thinned down to make it go further). I’m considering, sometime in the future, trying my hand at making a model of one of George Beurling’s Spitfires. Andy
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Looks pretty good, doesn’t look too far different. If you want some real fun, try to figure out how the Malta based RAF Spitfires were painted during the siege in ‘42. Andy
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Thanks again guys! Well, the sun came out a little earlier than expected, so I've gone for one last kick at the colouring can! All things being as equal as they can, here's the first chip, as per my Wellington build, against my green cutting mat: This comes pretty close to the earlier sample I posted. Same light and background as the first photo. With the double grey, the dark green still comes perilously close to dark brown. It looks much better better against the dark earth, than against the grey(s). Where the lighter green looked very olive-y against the dark earth colour, against the grey(s) it looks much better, closer to what the prototype colour would have been. I think my decision has been confirmed with this final colour comparison. The nice thing about playing with paint chips is that it can be done ad-infinitum, ad-nauseam without harming any models. I've done this many times for many models to evaluate possible painting schemes and colour combinations. It's a very useful tool/procedure. Incidentally, I must apologize for those faint dark streaks in the photos... it seems there's a fair degree of dog-snog on the window glass (from where the dog presses her nose up against the glass while trying to hypnotize the squirrels). When the weather warms up, I shall have to wash my windows! Andy
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It can also be a bit of a torment. On more than a couple of occasions I’ve had a great idea for a project based on a model kit, hopped on to Scalemates, checked out all the aftermarket stuff I would have needed for said project, only to find out I’m already too late for the party and all those aftermarket parts and decals are sold out, no longer in production, or otherwise completely unavailable. 🙄 That winter scheme looks intriguing. I wouldn’t be too worried about the white, I’m sure in real life those planes got so thoroughly grunged up you could easily pass on any paint flaws as pre-weathering! Andy
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Some of that may be exaggerated due to the ambient light, as well as my camera, but in reality there is still a startling difference in the tonality. I think a sunny day is forecast for Wednesday, I’ll post one more set of photos for a final confirmation. I’m also leaning towards the lighter green as well. Andy
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Thanks everyone for your comments and feedback. I think it's safe to say we've all settled on the lighter/bluer shade of grey, and I'm happy with that choice. I'm going to throw a couple more paint chips at you all, although this time it's a quick comparison of greens. The natural lighting is flat again today, but should still be adequate. The first option for green. This is the same green that was voted (unanimously) the favourite when I was building my Wellington. It looked good against the dark earth colour, but in the flat light, against the two greys, it comes up a little brown. This is the second option for green. It definitely shows as green in the flat light, and shows well agains the grey(s). In bright light in can look a little olive, but it seems a better match for the green on the museum bird in the article in my previous post. Just for a laugh, here's the paint sample I posted for my Wellington (the green chips above were cut directly from this sample piece): Sure changes the way those greens show, although if I remember correctly, that was in indirect sunlight. Anyway, I'm still interested to hear what everyone has to say. Andy
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LOL, nah, no traps, besides I’m not yet allowed to do any heavy lifting! 😜 To be honest, I still have no preference, nor do I have any conclusive evidence to support one shade of grey or the other. I did find some well lit photos of preserved Typhoon MN235 at the RAF museum: https://warbirdsnews.com/aviation-museum-news/hawker-typhoon-back-on-display-at-raf-museum-london.html While the dark grey on MN235 is pretty well spot on for the blue/grey option, I’m not certain how accurate it may be. The article above includes a fairly extensive historical timeline for the airplane, including repaintings (1972 and 1994). Lacking further references for these events I can’t determine if the painters used the correct paint, what was on hand, or, for later repainting, just copied what had been done before. Andy
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Thanks everyone for all the feedback! One thing I like about this forum, there's no shortage of help if you're willing to ask! Although I am very inclined to agree with the major opinion that the blue/grey preferred, I am going to run the test one more time to be certain. The light today is much flatter than yesterday's, and I've cut off the unpainted sections of plastic. I've also sprayed a small swatch of medium grey (the underside colour), for an additional comparison. First up the darker grey: The contrast with the green is a little more pronounced this time around, and there's a fair contrast with the lighter grey underside colour. Next up the bluer grey (and the popular choice): Again, the contrast with the dark green is still good, not quite as much with the underside colour, though. For reference here is yesterday's photo: Let me know what you all think, if the light or the addition of the light grey panel changes your opinion(s) any. Andy
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I had the opportunity, on one occasion to be in Toronto harbour, just prior to the CNE air show. For whatever reason, they landed the Lanc at Toronto island airport. It’s one thing to hear a Lanc pass by at a distance, it’s quite another to have it roaring by directly over your head! Andy
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All opinions welcome! I am leaning in the direction that you, @Egilman and@Edwardkenway have suggested. The more I look at it under different light conditions, the more “correct” the bluer grey seems. I’m wondering if the darker grey might be more appropriate for some of the early war Coastal Command or FAA aircraft (Sunderlands and whatnot). Andy
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Thanks EG! I find sometimes colour photos can be somewhat tricky, as time can play havoc with film pigments (to say nothing of the lighting). And sometimes the colourists can be a little sneaky too! I think there are too many variables when it comes to comparing with photos. Obviously the best option would be to find the original paint formulation. Lacking first hand confirmation, it comes down to a gut reaction: which option looks the best. Hopefully a few more people will chime in with their opinions, I’m still undecided. 🤔 Andy
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Looking forward to seeing your club Lanc build! As to the RAF/RCAF, all it takes is a little research, (and maybe a little luck). There’s a good selection of aftermarket options (like decals), that can easily alter a stock British (or American) airplane into a Canadian one. But manufacturers are not totally deaf either, for instance Airfix’s new 1/48 Avro Anson comes from the factory with Canadian markings (among others). Andy
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Thanks Everyone! Did I mention my paint arrived a few days ago? Anyway, I'm looking for some opinions. I need some help with determining the better shade of dark grey for the camouflage scheme. I've run a couple of test panels for evaluation. Both grey colours are from the same manufacturer and both are classified as "RAF Dark Sea Grey" (although different formula numbers). The one on the left is slightly darker, and the one on the right seems slightly bluer. The dark green (at the bottom) is the same as I used on my Wellington bomber. I initially thought this would be a cut and dry decision, but I find myself waffling. So I figured I'd see what everyone else thinks. Andy
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So, I went fishing today, and caught a couple of 1000 pounders... I thought of describing my activities today in a more direct fashion, but it might put me at odds with various government security organizations should they happen to stumble upon my build log....🤪 Still waiting on bits and pieces (it may be another week, I don't know), but I will keep trying to stay busy, even if it's only messing around with small parts here and there.... Andy
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Thanks guys! I’m in another waiting phase on the build, I did get my paint yesterday (finally!), but I’ve gone about as far as I can while I wait for the part(s) I ordered on the weekend. Also still waiting to see if Airfix has sent me the replacement landing gear legs, maybe they’re in the mail, I dunno…. Yeah…. Something like that… Andy
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Can’t wait to see this project develop in your very capable hands! Andy
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Not so much generic as uninspiring. In the lower “legs” of the plastic instrument panel piece, Airfix did manage to mould in some raised detail (which you then cover with a blank decal for some reason). It seems like they could make their instrument panels a little better, they just choose not to. Probably for the sake of keeping things simple for less experienced modellers. Andy
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Hmmmm…. OOOooooh….. Blech 🤮…… Decision Made! Just ordered the replacement instrument panel from Yahu Models. 😁 Andy
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I think one could write a doctoral thesis on the multitudes of hobby paint lines and cross references, and still not have everything sorted out… As you alluded to, the best bet seems to be to stick to one or two (or three) paint lines that offer a decent enough range of colours, that you’re comfortable working with, and are happy with the “close enough” option for colour selection. Andy
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Ahhh, I see what you’re saying! Here’s a reference I use: https://www.sunwardhobbies.ca/humbrol-paint-colour-selection-chart At the very least, it has the colour name alongside the reference number. Andy
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Airfix usually has colour call-outs in the instructions as well. Look for uncircled numbers in each step. This is a sample image of the 1/72 Buccaneer instructions (Scalemates doesn’t yet have the 1/48 instructions posted). I’ve circled in red some of the paint call-outs: Hopefully that helps! The numbers in triangles refer to previous assembly steps, and the circled ones are part numbers. Andy
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A small update on my build, as I am still waiting on my paint order to arrive. I have begun doing what I can with the materials at hand. The good thing is I can get a fair bit of this prep-work done so that when the time comes for assembly, I won't be waiting around for the paint to dry. For now the inside of the fuselage has been painted. Some of the details have been picked out in black and gunmetal. I may will probably add a pinprick of red where the various knobs and levers should be. The detail is quite indistinct, given the small scale and mostly won't be visible. I've also been picking at the piece that makes up the cockpit floor and landing gear bay. Not much else to really show at this moment, until my paint shows up, and the slowest game of e-mail tag (with Airfix) gets resolved.... Andy
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