Stealth, what to do

[Guest]

I just picked up an F-117A Stealth bomber today, I just cannot decide which colour scheme to go with

:lol

[Guest]

Is it the Revell one? What scale? I just recieved a Revell 1/48 one this week and its been added to my "To do" pile.

I looked it up and offers two bits of advice.

The first one is to do it a different colour (Cant remember which one) as the all black is so so boring.

It says the problem with this kit is that you just can not weather it. In real life even a paint chip would destroy the stealth capability so its always kept in tip top condition. However, you can paint the exhausts a different colour so add contrast.

The other, which I found interesting, is to rub the finished kit with notepaper. I have no idea what effect this will do but cant wait to find out. Ill try and find the article.

Ahh, here it is

Revell-Monogram 1:48 F-117 Stealth Fighter

The kit instructs you to paint everything black (for the most part, with the landing gear white and interior areas grey. This ends up being rather monochromatic, and slightly wrong. To give you a preview of what I'll be doing, and how to liven up your model a bit:

Don't paint the aircraft flat black. In 1/48 and 1/32 scale, it's just too stark, and ends up looking like a mini "black hole." Trust me on this! Go with a dark grey (Aircraft Interior Black, lightened somewhat, fits the bill.)

The exhaust plenum (the "platypus") actually does weather, normally to a rustlike color. It'll break it up somewhat, at least!

With this aircraft, panel joins are meticulously cared for - even one "break" or bit of chipped paint can compromise the radar signature and make it much more detectable. So, no chipped paint, even from bolt heads. HOWEVER, with the aircraft being dark grey, you can highlight some panels with actual flat or semi-gloss black for a bit of contrast.

Weathering tip #2 - after applying your final flat coat (after decalling and such,) take a piece of notebook paper and rub the model with it. In lieu of weathering and panel lines, this will lessen the flat finish on the "facets" of the aircraft, and break up what would otherwise be a stark model with some detail and subtle hgihlighting.

[Guest]

It's a 72nd scale by Kitech, a rough kit with plenty of flash but it was a bargain and it's just like a retro trip back to my childhood with the old poorly detailed airfix kits.

Rubbing a flat finish with notepaper would give it a slight sheen and I guess the idea is to use this method to highlight certain panels rather than just doing the whole thing satin black.

Thanks for the link Penny, that should come in handy when I get around to this one, it'll be a while yet I think, but then it could make a nice quick build provided I don't run out of black paint

[Guest]

Well Id be interested in your progress in this kit. I intend to start mine, but I have a few too many on the go atm, so it may be a while before I start, however, I plan to do a WIP thread in this forum when I do start. I personally would love for you to do one so that perhaps we can compare notes (And note paper LOL)

[Guest]

Depending on whats on the bench and on the go modelling wise and generally we might be able to arrange a mutual / side by side build at some point in the future?

I warn you in advance however, i'm not the quickest of builders.

[Guest]

Thats sounds very exciting. Well Ive got loads of other stuff, so msg me when you are ready and Ill dust my kit out.

[Gern]

You could always try this one! That should give you some interesting challenges when you do the masking :lol

Gern

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[Guest]

found this, no idea why its done like this though

[Guest]

I'm thinking Humbrol Invisible paint...........coat on, leaving now......