discussion Damn you tamiya

[Guest]

I've just begun my 4th build a 1/32 tamiya F-15c eagle, this is the first time I've done an aircraft this size and scale. I've struggled through cockpit, ejector seat and pilot and I am baffled by how people can paint them so cleanly (any tips for future reference would be appreciated ) not only is the detail of painting a bit of a mind bend but the amount of paint mixing is frustrating I have used the ratios of colours precisely but find the colours look very different to the real life references and to compound my headache I I purchased tamiyas as ghost grey and light ghost grey for fuselage and they look nothing like ghost grey and light ghost grey. I don't want to spend more money so I'll finish with the paint I have but I'm new to using cans to paint and don't know how to go about making clean curve lines for the camouflage pattern. So basically I'm in over my head but won't back off and need advice thanks 

 

[Guest]

I've just begun my 4th build a 1/32 tamiya F-15c eagle, this is the first time I've done an aircraft this size and scale. I've struggled through cockpit, ejector seat and pilot and I am baffled by how people can paint them so cleanly (any tips for future reference would be appreciated ) not only is the detail of painting a bit of a mind bend but the amount of paint mixing is frustrating I have used the ratios of colours precisely but find the colours look very different to the real life references and to compound my headache I I purchased tamiyas as ghost grey and light ghost grey for fuselage and they look nothing like ghost grey and light ghost grey. I don't want to spend more money so I'll finish with the paint I have but I'm new to using cans to paint and don't know how to go about making clean curve lines for the camouflage pattern. So basically I'm in over my head but won't back off and need advice thanks 

Hey Mick mate, well I'll try to tackle this question. 


Before I do though I want you to know that I have only been modelling for 1.5 years now, but feel that I can answer all of your questions. 

• I've struggled through cockpit, ejector seat and pilot and I am baffled by how people can paint them so cleanly - So with this one I would suggest using a tooth pick to paint out the small detail like buttons and dials, dry brushing white or silver paint also works, a panel line wash also highlights alot of detail. It will also come with practice, I personally have still not attempted a 1/48 aricraft let alone a 1/32, I have decided to finish most of my 1/72 aircraft before moving up to 1/48 - but thats me. I feel that by then my skills will be up to scratch. Having the right tools is also very useful, tools like tweezers, pin vices, drills, glu tec, putty, sanding material (sanding stick or file or sponge). There are quite a few things you can do and methods you can apply but I guess it all comes with practice and experience. Words can only say so much so if you like watch the below video and see how he details the cockpit with a small brush, he also uses alot of tweezer like tools. 
  

There is also the second most widely used method of using glutec, silly putty or the more recent clever putty. Check this build post out by Barry where he used clever putty to help paint a camo pattern




So I hoped that helped Mick!


Here are some youtube channels I follow that have really helped me come a long way in modelling


https://www.youtube.com/user/idaemon/videos - PLASMO videos


https://www.youtube.com/user/xrcflash/videos - Scale Modelling Channel (Car modelling mainly)


https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChnAgeghaNKLdftbfJY8zNA/videos - Andys hobby headquarters (AFV Modelling)


https://www.youtube.com/user/ScaleModelAircraft/videos - Scale Model Aircraft

 

[Guest]

Good answers Bob! I was just gonna add that surface and  colour saturation are affected by scale. You can't take the actual colours of,say a control panel, and use them for a model 1/48 scale, they'll be too much. We have to use skill and judgement that we gain over each kit we make. People who claim to know exactly what colour a tank from the 1940s was are simply deluded, we can only get an approximation. Even if we knew exactly how the original paint was manufactured, and with which specific pigments/binder/solvent, we'd still be none the wiser. And even if a magic goblin made this happen for us, and we used that paint on a 1/35 model, it'd look wrong! So relax, experiment, paint and enjoy the process. Paint names are just that, names. Take ultramarine blue (an artists "standard") find all the major manufacturer's take on this colour, and they're all different, hell, Winsor and newtons ultramarine is different now from 20 years ago. See where I'm going with this?  . 


By all means use proprietary  sets - RLM, that Russian one (name escapes me) RAF etc, they'll be fine, but don't let yourself get drawn into arguments about what 65 year old dunkelgelb actually looked like, cos no one knows! 

 

[Guest]

Thanks fellas I will look into those videos you posted Bob think I'll find a few useful tips in them. 


Im enjoying the process not going to get to finicky on the small stuff was just a little bit thrown off by spending a fair bit on paints to then find out most of the paint I have to mix myself and then just how different the colours are from the actual aircraft itself. 


Im looking forward to building and finishing this kit it's a challenge so far my wife is learning new swear words but what I've completed so far has been worth the hassle 

 

[Paul Davies]

the colours you see in pictures and videos my be different to real life as the camera can change the colour slightly depending on how its filmed etc. Dont worry about getting exact colours just enjoy it and make someone that you like the look of.

 

[Guest]

the colours you see in pictures and videos my be different to real life as the camera can change the colour slightly depending on how its filmed etc. Dont worry about getting exact colours just enjoy it and make someone that you like the look of.

Thanks for that I'm aiming to get as close as I can at the moment with the skill I have and so far all frustrations aside its looking cool and can't wait to see it complete the detail with this scale is pretty cool 

 

[Ian M]

I think you are not alone in your frustrations over Tamiya's paint call outs. Why oh Why can they not just give the colour name instead of their paint codes...
One of the first things I do when I have a Tamiya kit is go through the destructions and write the colours in so I don't have to keep flipping back and forth to the list of colours.
Thinking about it there are actually very firm manufactures that just put the colours by name but use their own paint numbers... I think the most annoying thing is all the mixes. Bugger that. find out what the colour is ment to be and use a paint that fits.
The only true way to get a good colour match is to go by the original Manufactures (real not model) paint  be it BS. RAL, FS or what ever they use in the country they are from.
Then you just need to find a model paint that is colour matched to those standards. Even then there can be differences.

 

[Guest]

Well I can't help with your problems as I cant build a plane. But I would just like to welcome you to the friendliest forum on the net. 

 

[stona]

I don't use Tamiya paints, nor do I build 'modern' aircraft, but I find it hard to believe that some manufacturers don't make a reasonable version of those colours. I always treat model paints matched to original colours (as Ian mentioned) as a good starting point and not necessarily an end point.


Cheers


Steve

 

[Guest]

I think you are not alone in your frustrations over Tamiya's paint call outs. Why oh Why can they not just give the colour name instead of their paint codes...
One of the first things I do when I have a Tamiya kit is go through the destructions and write the colours in so I don't have to keep flipping back and forth to the list of colours.
Thinking about it there are actually very firm manufactures that just put the colours by name but use their own paint numbers... I think the most annoying thing is all the mixes. Bugger that. find out what the colour is ment to be and use a paint that fits.
The only true way to get a good colour match is to go by the original Manufactures (real not model) paint  be it BS. RAL, FS or what ever they use in the country they are from.
Then you just need to find a model paint that is colour matched to those standards. Even then there can be differences.

It's a touch annoying because of the couple kits I've made I enjoy tamiya things seem to fit nicely and look fairly decent, the armour I've done of there's paint wise has been straight forward but this aircraft is all over the shop and even using the ratios they give it's still not right. Ah well live and learn I'll know better for my next build ha ha

 

[Guest]

Well I can't help with your problems as I cant build a plane. But I would just like to welcome you to the friendliest forum on the net. 

Thank it's a good forum I wasted a few hours last night looking at other peoples builds which got me inspired

 

[Guest]

I don't use Tamiya paints, nor do I build 'modern' aircraft, but I find it hard to believe that some manufacturers don't make a reasonable version of those colours. I always treat model paints matched to original colours (as Ian mentioned) as a good starting point and not necessarily an end point.


Cheers


Steve

It does seem a bit stupid I bought the spray paints tamiya do for aircraft specifically in the 2 ghost grey tones after looking at the Fs conversion charts for the aircraft only to discover tamiyas version of ghost grey is very different to the rest of the worlds 

 

[flyjoe180]

I use paint conversions or research on the internet. If you can get a good Federal Standard equivalent you stand a good chance of finding a good match. Another option is to look at the same or similar kit online and see what paints other model manufacturers recommend. Academy in particular do paint matches for most of the major brands as well as FS.

 

[BarryW]

Mick - Tammy kits have just two weaknesses, the colour call outs and poor decals. Their plastic, engineeering, fit and accurancy is the best you can get.


It is always best to prepare a 'paint plan' before starting one of their kits.  I list all the colours with the Tamiya codes next to them on a sheet of paper so they can be seen clearly.  I then, because I dont use Tamiya paints, I list the colours from the brands I use next to them.  Finally I check the instructions for mixes, work out what colours they are and what paint to use from my preferred brand then add those to the list.  It takes half an hour at the start but it saves a lot of time.  I really dont like mixing colours and it has often been necessary to find out what the actual colours are from third party on-line sources of which there are many and then find a colour equivilent in my preferred brand.


As for brands, I use Vallejo Model Air and AKI acrylics and I have almost never had to mix paints.


here are some useful reference sources for aircraft.


http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/colorcharts/colorcharts.asp


http://www.cybermodeler.com/resource6.shtml


http://www.cybermodeler.com/color/cockpit.shtml


http://www.markstyling.com/


http://www.fritzthefox.com/features.html


http://wp.scn.ru/


http://www.j-aircraft.com/a6mresearch/accolors.htm


That lot gives you enough information to paint almost any warplane specially from WW2.

 

[stona]

It is always best to prepare a 'paint plan' before starting one of their kits.... 


I really dont like mixing colours

I second both those sentiments.


You can best prepare a paint plan by establishing what the original colours were, which can be done with some basic research, or even posing a question somewhere like this. You can then find the relevant colours in a paint range which you like to use.


Mixing paints makes it very difficult to accurately match for touch ups or f**k ups. I do lighten paints sometimes, but I always start with an unmixed colour.


As an aircraft modeller, using enamels, I use Colourcoats, Humbrol and the odd Xtracolor or Modelmaster paint. Most of them have an extensive or complete range of paints for WW2 aircraft of all nationalities.


Cheers


Steve

 

[dave]

I agree with Steve and Barry.


There is also a very useful app called iModelKit that does a useful job of giving alternates for a paint by other manufacturers and does include Federal Standards, RLM and RAL as well as most of the model paint manufacturers.


I will just add if you cannot avoid doing so and you need to mix a colour for a model, buy a small dropper bottle and use that to mix more than you need. 


That way you keep exactly the same colour through the build even if you need to paint different parts of the kit at different times.  You also have the right colour for touch-ups.