Schmitz Posted May 11, 2013 Report Posted May 11, 2013 I'm primarily a car modeler, but I've got a couple of aircraft in the queue that need heavily weathered natural metal finishes. It doesn't seem right to do all the work with Alclad, etc. to get a polished metal look and then weather it over to look like an old galvanized bucket. Any advice for techniques, articles, etc? Even better if you can achieve this with acrylic paints... Thanks! Don Schmitz
ghodges Posted May 12, 2013 Report Posted May 12, 2013 Kinda depends on what you have in mind for "weathered".....and the degree to which you want to take it! In my mind, the fist thing that happens to a NMF is it goes dull. So, a simple (or selective) flat coat will start you well on your way. Next, some metal panels can take on a brushed or textured look compared to a fresh NMF. This can be accomplished with some VERY light sanding with VERY fine sand paper, and generally in the direction of airflow, so it looks like it's reacted to the elements it's been subjected to. The rest can be the same as weathering any model.....pastel brush streaks, a brown (instead of black) wash in the lines and any other recessed details, as well as VERY light post shading of panels with a clear brownish black over spray (remember the old Pactra "weather" you bought in the small bottles?) You can also imply heavier weathering by putting a muddy wash into the tire treads, gear doors, and into the wheel wells; without doing so much to the surface of the plane. Remember that in scale, less is more. Go slowly and stop JUST before you want to add just a little more..... Most NMF airplanes weren't all that dirty, they just weren't shiny anymore. Exceptions to this might be P-38's out of Foggia Italy during the summer months, 9thAF P-47s flying from foward bases in France and Belgium (Marsten matting runways) in early '45, and P-51's flying from Iwo Jima late in the war (very dusty). The same might also be said for NMF a/c in the CBI, where dirt runways were more common. England seemed to have mostly paved runways, and much less dirt and grime overall. Hope this helps! GIL
aAzZ09 Posted May 12, 2013 Report Posted May 12, 2013 Gil is right. The techniques he's mentioned are on par. Make sure that you don't overdo it and that the weathering avoids the "scale effect". By that I mean more detail than the model will allow at that scale, weathering or otherwise, Best, Mark
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