discussion What sort of finish for a Vulcan ?

[colin m]

My Airfix Vulcan has nearly consumed all the filler it needs and will soon be ready for some paint. Tonight it will get some of Halfords finest grey primer ( then let's be honest, probably more filler) But for the top coat, I want to do the white anti flash scheme.

Now then, gloss white will be great for the decals, but is probably a bit too much gloss for a 1:72 model. So what about gloss white (good for the decals) then a top coat of satin varnish ? I've never used satin varnish, is it any good ? has anyone done what I'm thinking of here? I'll have to buy some in and would like to stick with Hunbrol enamels, which I use all the time.

Regards

Colin M........

 

[yak face]

the satin varnish idea sounds good to me colin, dont forget to post us some piccies when its done. cheers tony

 

[Guest]

You could use a matt white with a few coats of Klear before the decals, a cot of clear over the decals and then satin varnish to tone it down. Would love to see some 'under construction' shots of this kit, never seen one before.

 

[Guest]

Colin, It depends if you are making the Vulcan as the box, or if you are modifying it to a specific aircraft at a certain time of its life. I made the Airfix Vulcan as I mentioned before, and understand very well your comments on filler. I chose a specific aircraft XL443 which I photographed at RNAS Lossiemouth in 1969. At that time the Vulcans were painted Gloss Camo on top. and white matt underneath. The restored Vulcan XH558 is Matt all over and has the Camo on top and bottom surfaces. If you are choosing an all white Vulcan, I can recommend White Ensigns Enamel paint they do a specific anti-flash white specifically for the Valiant. Vulcan and Victor. Not wishing to steal your thread, I attach a couple of scanned photo's XL443, also a couple of XH558 taken last year at Leuchars, and a couple of my model. which was hand painted in enamel, and varnished with gloss on top and matt on the understide, all with Humbrol enamels and varnishes. It was painting these large areas, that made me invest in an airbrush. Hope these photo's are of some use. Derek

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[stona]

Nice Vulcan there Derek. As for anti-flash white I've only seen it close up on the TSR2 at Cosford (I think that is AFW) and I'd say silk is about right,definitely need to tone down a gloss coat.

Steve

 

[colin m]

Thank you all for your input. Yakface and fenlander the pictures are here, I'll post them all when it's finally completed. I didn't want to post as 'under construction' as I really didn't know how long the Vulcan would take me. But it's now primered and indeed has developed a hunger for just a touch more filler ! The matt white sounds good, for some reason matt colours just to 'sit' better on my models than gloss - I don't know why. But, by going straight to very thin gloss, I can miss out a few coats of clear.

Derek, I'll have a look for the paint you mentioned and thanks for the pictures. I have probably spent nearly as many hours researching the Vulcan as I have actually building the thing. But you can never have too many pics of a Vulcan. Yours looks great, I'm now wondering if all over white is a bit of a cop out............no I've made my mind up - it's white..........probably ! But as you say Stona, not totally gloss...

Regards

Colin m.......

 

[Guest]

Colin, Have been looking at one of my books entitled 'The Vulcan Story' by Peter R March, published by Sutton Publishing 2006, and the all white Vulcans look to have a Satin finish. The White Ensign anti-flash has a satin finish when dry and is decal ready. For enamel paint I usually apply Humbrol Model & Craft rattle can Hobby Spray Varnish 'Satin' but make sure you get the right one, they do one for Enamel and one for Acrylic paints. If you study the black and white photo I attached, you will see that the camo on that aircraft was high gloss finish with a flat white underside. Look forward to seeing your Vulcan. Hope this helps Derek

P.S. If you have a look at the Forums 'Aircraft Pictures', Page 2, you will see my Trumpeter 1/32 SU-27B Flanker photo's, this aircraft was finish coated with the Humbrol Rattle Can mentioned above.