The colours evolved through my as yet unpublished Alternative History of a resurgent militarist Japan locking horns with a still communist Soviet Union in the mid-eighties. Long story shortened, the disputed Kuril Islands become a battle ground and my Skyhawk (and previously seen Sea Harrier) are involved.
Because the transit to the islands is over the dark bluey grey/green northern Pacific then the colours used should reflect this. I decided to utilise all RAF tones - not necessarily current colours :-
The lightest tone over 80% of the underside and the centreline drop-tank is Medium Sea Grey (MSG). The next lightest, counter-shading the underside, beneath the intakes and on the rear fuselage is Light Slate Grey (LSG). The next lightest covering 60% of the upper surfaces is Ocean Grey (OG) and the final darkest tone is RAF Blue Grey (B/G).
The pattern came to me quite easily and was just about right after three attempts - I have based it on the pattern used by the first A-4/TA-4's seen in low vis greys in the mid to late eighties.
First actual in-progress painting pics will follow soon !
Ian
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Medium Sea Grey sprayed, ready for masking.
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Ian
Some guys just can't get it right, can they ? I think it would look better with a ratio closer to 79 % and 62 % for the uppers and lowers, respectively.
:P
Can you point me in the direction of your Harrier again, pls ?
:party:
OK here's the MSG all masked.
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Next, the Light Slate Grey (LSG) was sprayed on under the leading edge of the wings to approximately .25 chord and up the intake flanks, front fuselage and the rear fuselage.
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the last photo as well as showing the gap beneath the fin (!), shows the difference in tonal value between the MSG and LSG.
Ian
As this is written, the next coat of paint (RAF Blue/Grey) is drying in the Autumn sunshine, but here's the model as it looked this morning, with the LSG areas masked off.
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More tomorrow - I think ! :unsure:
Ian
In the meantime, here's the loadout, as you can see the British tandem panniers required a wee bit of 'adaptation' ! :o
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Ian
Looking good, Ian! That's one awesome load-out you've got in the works!
:thumbsup:
Brian da Basher
She's haulin' some serious iron :tank:
I think the camo scheme is gunna be rather like a Rolf Harris painting - and I can't quite guess what it is yet ;)
:bow: :bow:
Wow.....that is starting to look really good ! Love the weapons load. Did you spray them as well ? They look really sharp.
:cheers:
Paint finished !
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This is the RAF Blue/Grey sprayed and masked.... forgot to take a pic before the masking ! :dum:
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And that's it.... paint done. The tonal value between the RAF Blue /Grey and the Ocean Grey looks more pronounced than it is in actuality. I guess it's the flash/lighting set-up.
On to the decals....
Ian
Woah!! That's an absolutely killer paint scheme Ian! Hat's off to you!
:salute:
Brian da Basher
Decals on, next a light oil wash into the panel lines.
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As you can see I changed my mind about two things. The slats will be deployed and the loadout just looked WRONG. So I ditched the panniers idea and loaded just one GBU under each wing.... looks much better.
Ian
Wow ! That's really looking the part now, my friend !
:wub:
Can't wait to see her on her legs !
:party:
Those Hinomarus sure bring it to life B)
Those Hinomorus provide a wonderful contrast with the camo scheme! You've got an artist's eye, Ian!
:thumbsup:
Brian da Basher
Sorry my mate ....dont work for me.
Not your best idea........bit like the herring flavoured ice cream :( :( :( :(
We will discuss this at length over a libation. :cheers:
Good modelling though.
Looking very good Ian.
QuoteSorry my mate ....dont work for me.
Not your best idea........bit like the herring flavoured ice cream :( :( :( :(
If I recall correctly the Herring flavoured ice-cream was your idea - caused by your spending too much time with Scandanavians - it was me who invested those old folks pension funds'.... poor old souls, they'll never forgive us :unsure:
Ian
No it was YOUR idea...........I told you we should have gone with the sardine and banana instant whip.
:drink: see ya Sat if we can get the weather down for Heli ops. :drink:
Just seen it on the Completed Builds Thread & I do like this one! I've got to admit, I was leaning towards what Dork was saying but I often feel that you have to see a build finished completley before you can tell just how it'll look. Sometimes little things like removing the masking or adding a few more weapons can change the whole look of a build & I think this has happened here.
Great work Ian! :cheers:
Super build Ian. I've always liked the Mike version of the Scooter, looked a bit more warlike than the earlier marks. I tend to agree on the LGBs, I think pairs would have been too much, but the effect now is just brilliant.
Regards,
Mav
Well, I don't care if this sounds sycophantic or not: Sir, it is an honor to be permitted to see your builds come together.
You make it look so easy, which I believe is the mark of a true artist in any field.
JHM (Humbled in Alberta) :bow: