discussion Should I ruin another kit?

[Guest]

Looking at my kits yesterday, I did decide on doing my Eduard Bf 109, so got it out and started reading the instructions. only to find out that I can't do it.
all the colour schemes use the mottling effect on the fuselage and theres' no way I could paint that.

so back to square one lol

Yes you can paint the mottle, you use the old method -
Once you are ready to start on the mottle, you nip down into the kitchen and you steal the scouring sponge... You give it time to dry which could be during the build process...
So you now have the models painted in the relevant colours and across the spine you have the two colours of the camoflague. You will have the straight lines across the spine of the fuselage, BUT you need the mottle... So what you do here is to leave a soft edge, no masking and do not take the soft edge down to far, don't forget you are going to add the mottle.
So you pour a small amount of the colour you want first, then you take you sponge, tear of a piece about the size of a thumbnail. grip it in some tweezers, dip it into the paint (not all the way), dab it onto some tissue/kitchen towel and then when the paint has almost finished transferring to the tissue, you then dab it onto the model, with the seperate mottles being added with 'dabs'.
This method serves two purposes it provides a free and cheap way to do the mottle, but also starts you on the road to learning the chipping method used in both AFV and aircraft modelling...
Later on you can fork out some money and buy a mottle template, which you will only use once or twice, mine is still in the Eduard 109 box waiting to be built sometime in the next lifetime....

 

[Guest]

Yes you can paint the mottle, you use the old method -
Once you are ready to start on the mottle, you nip down into the kitchen and you steal the scouring sponge... You give it time to dry which could be during the build process...
So you now have the models painted in the relevant colours and across the spine you have the two colours of the camoflague. You will have the straight lines across the spine of the fuselage, BUT you need the mottle... So what you do here is to leave a soft edge, no masking and do not take the soft edge down to far, don't forget you are going to add the mottle.
So you pour a small amount of the colour you want first, then you take you sponge, tear of a piece about the size of a thumbnail. grip it in some tweezers, dip it into the paint (not all the way), dab it onto some tissue/kitchen towel and then when the paint has almost finished transferring to the tissue, you then dab it onto the model, with the seperate mottles being added with 'dabs'.
This method serves two purposes it provides a free and cheap way to do the mottle, but also starts you on the road to learning the chipping method used in both AFV and aircraft modelling...
Later on you can fork out some money and buy a mottle template, which you will only use once or twice, mine is still in the Eduard 109 box waiting to be built sometime in the next lifetime....

You've inspired me! I'm going to give it a go. Thanks again I really appreciate it.

 

[Miko]

The Tamiya Spitfire mkV, beautiful kit and subject!

I will look completely fantastic on display next to your telly, it'll give you something interesting and pretty to look at while the adverts are on!

Or you could look at the equally interesting and pretty missus SteveT, it's nice to have options! Ha!

Miko (missus Miko is prettier and more interesting that most of my builds . . . but not all! Ha!)