discussion Advice from aircraft builders needed.

[Stefee]

As I only build cars and occasional sci fi/ real space kits I need some pointers from the aircraft builders on here.
I am currently building an Apollo 11 splashdown recovery vignette which includes Old 66, a SH-3D helicopter. After research I determined that the cockpit glazing has a dark grey inner frame and white outer frame with translucent green upper side windows.
My questions are these,
1. Do I paint the inner and outer framework and green prior to attaching it to the fuselage,fill any gaps and then completely mask up for primer or
2. Paint the inner frame and green, attach the glazing, fill the gaps and then mask the windows out and prime/ paint the outer framework at the same time as the fuselage?
Hope that makes sense as I have never built an aircraft or helicopter before.
TIA Stefan

 

[Steven000]

There's plenty ways of doing it Stefan, I personally like to ;
-glue the clear parts in place
-mask all the canopy parts
-spray the green interior color on the outside
----example of a dark grey interior color sprayed on the outside :

-spray the whole model in primer
-spray the final color
-varnish etc
-unmask
-I would then locally paint the translucent green upper side windows with a brush
-or re-mask around the upper windows and spray the translucent green

advantage : you only have to mask the canopy on the outside once
disadvantage : the interior color might be shiny because it's behind the clear part (from the inside)

 

[Stefee]

Never thought of that technique, it saves masking the inside and only 1 masking outside - genius. Thanks very much for the advice.

 

[Andy T]

I use the same method as Steven.

 

[rickoshea52]

I use a slightly different method. Paint the translucent green on the inside of the windows that need it. Mask the rest. This gives a nice shiny finish on the outside which you can apply masking tape or fluid to without the risk of adverse reaction on the green peeling off with the tape.
Fit the glazing, mask the outside of the glazing, spray grey for the inside colour then you white for external.
This is how I did my Sea Kings in 1/72 & 1/48.

Read a bit here on post #127

Thread 'Rick’s 1/48 Airfix Sea King HAS5'

Aug 30, 2023

I’ll be starting this tonight, in the boring grey scheme. Although the red & grey is quite eye catching I’d prefer a Gannet based cab when decals can be located.


A quick look in the (jam packed) box has got my tail wagging. Moulded in the new harder plastic the detail is superb. It’s clear there is a HAR3/3A & HC4 coming in future releases.
Chocks away!

• rickoshea52
• Replies: 150
• Forum: Helicopters Under Construction

 

[Stefee]

Thanks for that and the link to your build - very informative.

 

[Neil]

TBH, I’m a lazy ‘advanced beginner’ - so I know what I should do, but I am too lazy half the time to do it
With a small aircraft in 1/72 I’m happy to just paint the outer colour, especially in flight as you will not see the interior when it is on a shelf.
That said, with the A10, it is big enough that not using the interior as well and the canopy will be wide open, it will be glaringly wrong.

So this time, it is prime everything without the canopies on. Paint their interior colour on the outside, then I’ll try and figure out how to attach it closed but not glued, prime the canopies in black, then spray the exterior on everything and unmask when that is all complete.

I guess I will find out how that works out!