discussion Airspeed Horsa Glider 6th Airborne mount on D-Day

[rtfoe]

I was worried the large canopy would reveal the weights that were added in the cockpit but it didn't.

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The canopy wasn't that hard to mask...a layer of interior green was sprayed. This would show on the inside.

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Next the D-Day markings...masking.

Cheers,
Richard

 

[Steve Jones]

Great update Richard. Look forward to seeing those white stripes.

 

[rtfoe]

Hi Steve, thanks. The D-Day stripes were painted within 24 hrs of the invasion...faster than me replying with the anticipated images...deeply sorry it's taken so long.

I always prefer applying invasion stripes first before painting the whole aircraft to avoid major masking. You will notice that I cut the masking tape stripes freehand to mimick hand painted stripes that were hurriedly done just the day before the invasion with whatever was available to slap it on including brooms. White goes on first and masked...

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Then black was applied...I thinned the remainder of the black paint to preshade and paint over the canopy to add more opaqueness to the frames.

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Camo colours next...

Cheers,
Richard

 

[Steve Jones]

Bring on the camo!:thumb2:

 

[rtfoe]

Thanks Steve...roger wilco.

Cheers,
Richard

 

[Fernando N]

Nice work on the Horsa Richard, neat how you stuffed the weights in to avoid it being a tail sitter.:thumb2:

 

[Guest]

Richard.
Watch Steve, he's got a thing with camo, he's being going on to me about my Sturmtiger.
I can imagine a giant dio with loads of your figures embarking onto a plane, too big I know.
That masking of the cockpit is an art form in its own right!
John.

 

[papa 695]

Just caught up Richard, and its looking great

 

[Guest]

The master at work.

 

[rtfoe]

Hi Guys, thanks...I noticed that D-Day subject seem to resonate with quite a few.

Fernando, one way is to dry fit and tape all the back ends then fill as much weight and using a dowel as a balance placed under the fuselage where the aligned main undercarriage would be until it tips forward confidently then I lock down all weights with CA or UHU glue.
John, yes keeping an eye on Steve. The imagined dio would be too big an operation. :tongue-out3:
Ian, glad you caught up.
Peter, you make me blush :flushed:

Camoflage it is then... I roughly sprayed a layer of earth brown then...

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...tracing out the camo pattern paper masks, I tacked it with blu-tac and sprayed the green.

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Once that was done I masked the top part of the Horsa to paint the black underside. Some paint peeled on removal of the masking but was corrected easily.

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A layer of Future was sprayed overall and not just the areas for decalling to get an even shade as the Humbrol matt paint tended to darken or absorb the varnish.

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View attachment 310919 It was set aside to cure after I glued the side access door. Thanks for joining the camo ride..:smiling2:

Cheers,
Richard

 

[Mickc1440]

Excellent work on the paint job Richard

 

[papa 695]

Very nice paintwork Richard

 

[SteveH]

Superb Richard


And braille scale too

Very well done

Regards

Steve H

 

[rtfoe]

Thanks guys for the kind comments...now for more...

Thin wire braces were added to both the access doors. Dark wash was applied, gloss varnish and decals and a coating of matt varnish proceeded.

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The varnish didn't totally matt the surface but gave it a satin feel which I liked. Care was taken to mask the canopy when varnishing.

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Cheers,
Richard

 

[minitnkr]

Outstanding. PaulE

 

[rtfoe]

Thanks Paul,

If I'm not mistaken Italeri has given the markings for one of the aircraft involved with Operation Deadstick which I have applied. The Horsa is one of the iconic planes I associate with D-Day along with the stripes. And it has nice lines.

Cheers,
Richard

 

[Jim R]

Hi Richard
Lovely work. Your masking is always so neat and well planned and it works :smiling2: Canopy has worked a treat. Preshade looks good. To keep a preshade does need a delicate touch on the airbrush trigger - something I still need to master!
Jim

 

[Mickc1440]

Nice finish Richard

 

[minitnkr]

Much prettier than WACO. Ugly as an old shoe. PaulE

 

[Fernando N]

Looks great Richard, always a pleasure to see your paintwork.:thumb2: